NSW: Legal Gun Numbers Up, Crime Down

Legal Gun Numbers Up, Crime Down

The International Coalition for Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) have welcomed new data showing the ever-increasing popularity of hunting and shooting in New South Wales.

Firearms ownership has risen steadily in recent years, according to figures released by the Daily Telegraph.

WiSH Chair Dr Samara McPhedran said “The number of legally owned firearms has increased, but misuse continues to decline.”

“These statistics prove that firearm misuse does not relate to the number of legally owned guns in Australia.”

“Firearm homicides and suicides have been declining for many years, and were falling prior to the 1996 legislative changes. We now know that the overwhelming majority of firearms used in crime are illegally owned.”

“This sends a clear message that increases in legal firearm ownership do not cause increases in firearm misuse.”

“It is now widely accepted that shooting is a safe and challenging activity the whole family can participate in. Also, more and more Australians are turning to hunting as a source of fresh, free range, organic meat.”

ENDS

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