No question they tried to destroy Steve, its a pity they devoted so much effort to the cause instead of fighting crime .... as in real crime.
Our firearm legislation sucks, and I firmly believe the police shouldnt be tasked with enforcing it - they have successfully blurred the line between criminal use of firearms and the regulation of licensed use and associated 'infractions' ... add to that the declared bias inherent in the police - "guns are an OHS issue / we want less guns out there period"...
We should have a statutory authority, say the 'Department of Licensing' that licenses individuals for firearms (heck they can do car licensing as well), NOT leave the task to a militarised / armed enforcement unit who might show up, armed, at your door at any (reasonable) time simply because you want to participate in a sport of target hooting..... when a licensed individual 'breaks a law' just like ANY regulated activity - THEN call in the law, if you really need too.
I think I've said enough, maybe too much about the case, I'll shortly go back and remove references to Steve and his matter....DB if you wouldnt mind dropping my quotes from your posts