WEST Australian Senator Linda Reynolds has joined fellow Coalition Senators and Senator David Leyonhjelm in releasing a Report on the findings of a Senate Inquiry into gun related violence in the community.

A separate report issued by Chair of the Inquiry Greens Senator Penny Wright, was only supported by a single Labor Senator.

The majority of participating Senators worked together in good faith to produce a report that would ensure fair and balanced policy outcomes for all Australians and responsible firearms owners.

The Report, endorsed by Senators from the Liberal Party, National Party and Liberal Democratic Party, acknowledged that most Australian firearm owners engaged in responsible storage and use of guns, and complied with relevant legislation.

“Our Report addresses the misinformation about gun ownership contained in the Chair’s Report and in media statements about the size of the illegal gun market and its impact on crime in the community,” Senator Reynolds said.

“Evidence presented to the Inquiry contradicted many of the claims made by Senator Wright, particularly in relation to the source of illegal guns and legal gun owners in Australia. Rather illegal gun ownership and gun related violence rested with criminal gangs.”

Senator Reynolds said the Coalition continued to take a strong stance on illegal firearms, and would continue to support responsible gun ownership.

“The Coalition remains committed to introducing tougher penalties for gun-related crime, including the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences of five years imprisonment for offenders charged with trafficking firearms or firearm parts,” she said.

“Disappointingly, when the Coalition put those penalties to the Senate earlier this year the Labor Party opposed them.

“This is a key part of the Australian Government’s commitment to a strong and nationally consistent approach to gun crime.

“We want to make sure criminals understand that firearm related crime will not be tolerated.”

–ENDS– Media Contact: Jessica Hayes 0427333147

Fast facts:

• There are approximately 730,000 registered Australian gun owners.
• An estimated 2.75 million firearms are registered in Australia.
• Evidence presented at the inquiry found only one in every 2500 guns was stolen – a rate of four hundredths of one per cent.