Why are pump shotguns Cat C?

[bucks_unlimited]

I was watching a video about Port Arthur (since I wasn’t alive when it happened) and was looking through the comments. A bunch of Aussies were talking about the removal of semi automatic weapons and it had me wondering why pump shotguns fit in the same category? I get that they have a high fire rate and that scares some people but pump action rimfires and centrefires are perfectly legal with a cat A/B license. Even lever action shotguns are legal as long as they are under a certain capacity. So what’s the deal? Why have pump action shotguns been singled out as category C?

[No1_49er]

Remember, the numpties that create these categories are politicians who, for the most part, have absolutely no knowledge nor understanding of how firearms actually function. None. Worse, they're not really interested in learning, either.
A firearm is a firearm, is a firearm, is a firearm. You have a licence, ergo you have been deemed to be "fit and proper"; if that is not the case please tell me and revoke it, else f^k off and leave me alone!

[straightshooter]

Isn't the answer obvious?
Little Johnny was afraid of them.

[mchughcb]

The best person to give you a 2 hour explanation of this is Graeme from the F&G.

If I have to summarise pump action shotguns were not on the list initially but were included at the last minute after a politician rang the police or army for their opinion and they said they use pump rather than semi because they are more reliable. The politician thought therefore they are more dangerous and the rest is history.

Graeme can tell you the people involved, the dates and almost word for word. You need to pull up a chair.

[bucks_unlimited]

The best person to give you a 2 hour explanation of this is Graeme from the F&G.

If I have to summarise pump action shotguns were not on the list initially but were included at the last minute after a politician rang the police or army for their opinion and they said they use pump rather than semi because they are more reliable. The politician thought therefore they are more dangerous and the rest is history.

Graeme can tell you the people involved, the dates and almost word for word. You need to pull up a chair.

That’s pretty interesting. I’ve heard a similar story but I didn’t know whether to believe it - that’s why I was trying to find a half logical explanation when I first asked this question. Thanks for the shedding some light on the topic

[bladeracer]

I was watching a video about Port Arthur (since I wasn’t alive when it happened) and was looking through the comments. A bunch of Aussies were talking about the removal of semi automatic weapons and it had me wondering why pump shotguns fit in the same category? I get that they have a high fire rate and that scares some people but pump action rimfires and centrefires are perfectly legal with a cat A/B license. Even lever action shotguns are legal as long as they are under a certain capacity. So what’s the deal? Why have pump action shotguns been singled out as category C?

No logical reason at all, like most of our firearm laws. None of our firearm laws are aimed at public safety, we have all sorts of criminal law that already covers committing acts of aggression against other people.

[on_one_wheel]

For the same reason we have appearance laws ... just because.

[mchughcb]

The best person to give you a 2 hour explanation of this is Graeme from the F&G.

If I have to summarise pump action shotguns were not on the list initially but were included at the last minute after a politician rang the police or army for their opinion and they said they use pump rather than semi because they are more reliable. The politician thought therefore they are more dangerous and the rest is history.

Graeme can tell you the people involved, the dates and almost word for word. You need to pull up a chair.

That’s pretty interesting. I’ve heard a similar story but I didn’t know whether to believe it - that’s why I was trying to find a half logical explanation when I first asked this question. Thanks for the shedding some light on the topic

Believe it. That's why a remmy pump in 308 is OK but a shottie is not. GE was involved in all these discussions at the highest level.

[S O K A R]

For the same reason we have appearance laws ... just because.

Miss being able to carry my favorite AR lookalike down the main street at lunch time, they really showed us there.

[on_one_wheel]

For the same reason we have appearance laws ... just because.

Miss being able to carry my favorite AR lookalike down the main street at lunch time, they really showed us there.

Walking around with a plane Jane hunting rifle just doesn't cause the same ruckus ... it's like nobody notices.

[yoshie]

From what I remember the NSW and VIC police wanted them gone, as most of the violent forearm crimes were being committed with them and not Semi autos. There were also a bunch of police (who only had 38s) that were killed point blank with shotguns.

[womble]

Nope yoshie, it was on a whim at the last minute. As mchugh explained. There was no rationality involved.
Allthough my understanding was that it was a reporter that made the famous phone call for advice.
Important part of our modern history to remember nonetheless young yoshie.

The great shovel rush of 1996.
An awakening of sorts. Of a free country that would forevermore become a police state.
I do not by any means wish to down play the very real tragedy that was port Arthur. And it’s very real effects on our nations psyche.
But what followed overshadowed it with a dark veil of oppression.
Without a solid constitution and a bill of rights to protect the citizens, the political class seized the opportunity to become a ruling class. The realisation that they could do anything they wanted without conscience presented to them. That power consumed them, and blinded them from contemplation, reflection and foresight.
And till this day, with great frequency and consistency, those guns are unearthed again, in the hands of criminals and organised crime.