Australia Set to Expand Warrantless Searches for Guns

[brett1868]

If you do nothing wrong then you shouldn't have anything to fear.

Not trying to be a pessimist here but the problem (IMO) is the definition of "wrong" gets broader and broader.

Accidentally step over the wrong line on a map in a forest without even intending to take a shot and you would (in theory) have your guns seized, license cancelled, and go into the statistics for firearm "crime".

Fair enough, many of the laws are a bit vague or subject to interpretation and it's possible to be on the wrong side of the law without intention. A good lawyer would get you off any charges but the hassle and expense is unfortunately on us.

This whole search thing I understand is aimed at those that already have a prohibition order against them and shouldn't have firearms anyway. This shouldn't have any impact on us lafo's whatsoever and I'm failing to see what all the noise is about.

[headspace]

I've said it before and at risk of repeating myself I'll do so again. The Police have a rotten job to do and we should simply be nice and realise that one day we may need them for some of their more important work. In the meantime your objections should be made clear to the people who make the decisions; your local members and State Premier. This should be done by the organisation of a letter writing campaign, which should be polite, factual and to the point. Politicians of all kinds respond to what will affect their stay in office. Once they realise that there are a lot of votes out there that could go begging they may begin to see that LFO's are not a bunch of knuckle draggers. However, if all we do is sit here and slag off at the Police, then we are simply playing into the well manicured hands of the anti's.

[Gwion]

Ensuring prohibited persons aren't keeping firearms is a good thing.

Some cops are morons, some plain arse holes, some are power tripping megalomaniacs, but most are decent folk doing a job that needs to be done. The rank and file police have less influence over firearms regs than we do over governmental policy.

[headspace]

I rang my local Police to let them know I'd be a way for a while just in case they wanted to do an inspection. There was a very nice Senior Constable there who checked and said that I'm not listed for an inspection but thanks for letting us know. He said enjoy your trip and we'll catch up in the New Year. I call that peaceful co-operation not brown nosing to the Police. Fact is they have a job to do foisted on them by the Politicians.

[Harper]

Fair enough, many of the laws are a bit vague or subject to interpretation and it's possible to be on the wrong side of the law without intention. A good lawyer would get you off any charges but the hassle and expense is unfortunately on us.

Both fair points, we still end up copping it either way.

An innocent, harmless mistake e.g. standing on the wrong line of some map makes you a criminal by default.

Yes, a good lawyer can probably show you're an honest citizen who meant no harm. But a hundreds of dollars an hour expense incurred how much of a victory can you call that really