Victoria's Shadow Minister for Agriculture and deputy leader of the Opposition Peter Walsh says yesterday's announced state government's ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes is ideologically driven.
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"Victoria's legal, responsible hunting community already operates to high levels of scrutiny and accountability and is required to comply with strict regulations," Mr Walsh said.
State Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville says the state is responding to an increase in demand for firearms and ammunition.
"We are doing what we can to protect licensed firearm owners and dealers, as well as the broader community," Ms Neville said.
Those with a need to access firearms and ammunition for essential services, such as farmers and rural landholders, professional vermin control and armed guards will still be able to access them for these purposes.
Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia spokesperson Laura Patterson says recreational hunters undertake crucial pest control measures on behalf of primary producers.
"The big issue for recreation hunters is they're banned from getting ammunition, but this is the time of year where they do their very best to protect native flora and fauna from the impacts of pest species," Ms Patterson said.
The proliferation of pest species, including foxes, rabbits and hard hooved pests such as deer and pigs is a concern, according to Ms Patterson.
"All we can do in regional communities is stand by and watch as the pest species grow exponentially in numbers while there is no end date on this ban," she said.
The Sporting Shooters' Association Australia represents licensed firearms owners in Australia and said the state government's temporary ban sends a terrible message.
"There are no statistics to justify banning a legal product obtained in a lawful manner by people who have been vetted by police, need a genuine reason, have proper storage and have somewhere to shoot," SSAA chief executive Jack Wegman said.
Owners of handguns for the purpose of target shooting must meet annual participation requirements for each class of handgun owned.
Ownership of one class of handgun requires participation in a minimum of ten approved matches or shoots per year, for example.
Failure to meet these requirements each year may result in a license being cancelled or handgun being surrendered, with this requirement not yet relaxed given the new restrictions in place.
"Our clubs have been shut down and no SSAA Victoria ranges are operating and clubs and branches aren't meeting," Mr Wegman said.
"With ranges shut for an indeterminate period, it will be most likely that many handgun shooters will find it difficult to meet the minimum attendance requirements.
"The police have said this matter is under consideration."
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