FARMERS and hunters in the Swan Hill region considering buying the new rapid-fire Adler lever-action shotgun have had their hopes dashed after a dramatic intervention by the Federal Government.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has this week moved to immediately suspend the importation of 20,000 shotguns to Australia amid fears they will undermine the country’s current gun laws.
The decision has drawn criticism from some locals, including Swan Hill Fishing and Shooting Supplies owner Bec Orlando, who insists the firearm is no different to many guns on the market currently.
“It’s not high-powered, it’s not any more dangerous than any other gun,” she said.
“And it’s nothing new,” her husband, Pat Orlando, added.
Mr and Ms Orlando had eight of the firearms on order for locals, and were expecting to receive them from next month.
Instead, the importation of the firearms has been suspended for six months while the National Firearms Agreement is reviewed.
For more on this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (July 29).
