Guest speaker at the meeting was the former Prime Minister, John Howard, who was interviewed by media celebrity, Andrew Denton, on the Port Arthur massacre, and the subsequent gun buy-back and regulations instigated and carried out by the then Liberal government, in spite of considerable opposition at the time.

Walter Makic was an invited guest whose wife and two daughters were amongst those killed by Bryant in 1996. 

He addressed Howard directly when he said, “I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are people who are alive because of the result of those changes”.

Mr Howard expressed concern that the same gun safety laws which operated so effectively for a time, are being watered down now in response to political pressure exerted by gun groups including the Shooters and Fishers Party and David Lleyonjhelm.

He deplored the opening of some national parks to recreational shooters and the elimination of the 28-day cooling-off period in some states to allow for police checks to be made on the intended gun buyer before he or she could take possession.

He said it would be “a huge mistake” if the government failed to ban imports if the Adler 110 rapid-fire shot-gun.

This gun, described as a “game changer” by gun enthusiasts can fire 8 shots in 8 seconds using a lever action. 

The promoters  claim it is tailor made for “fast and furious shooting” and that it should be made available to all shooters regardless of their level of expertise.

Will the Adler110 be among the array of guns sold by gun dealers at next year’s HuntFest?

In spite of these alarming developments, Mr Howard retains his belief in the common sense of the Australian people and faith in democracy to prevent dangerous liberalisation of gun laws.

He said, “Don’t lose faith in the representative, democratic process. It does work. Earbashing your local member can be effective”.

Susan Cruttenden

Dalmeny