Rural voters have rejected former prime minister John Howard’s open letter on guns, instead pushing for children as young as 10 to be allowed firearms permits.
The electorate of Murray in southern New South Wales is facing a by-election tomorrow, and locals say they are sick of city politicians telling them what to do.
Mr Howard and former Nationals’ leader Tim Fischer wrote an open letter earlier in the week warning voters against the Shooters Party.
Rural voters have rejected former prime minister John Howard’s open letter on guns, instead pushing for children as young as 10 to be allowed firearms permits (pictured is Shooters Party candidate Helen Dalton)
The electorate of Murray in southern New South Wales is facing a by-election tomorrow, and locals say they are sick of city politicians telling them what to do (pictured is Griffith business owner Glen Castellaro)
The letter accused the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of wanting to dilute the tough gun laws introduced after the Port Arthur massacre 21 years ago.
Local residents have hit back, saying the age requirement for gun permits should be lowered to 10, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Alfio Guglielmino, a 53-year-old Griffith business owner, said children should not have to wait until they are 12 to use a gun.
‘There are a lot of people from the city who don’t know what they’re talking about,’ he said.
Owner of Riverina Hunting and Fishing in Griffith Glen Castellaro said shooting was a healthy activity for children, and better than using iPads.
‘Every time something happens in America you get people attacking the laws here,’ he said.
Mr Howard (pictured) and former Nationals’ leader Tim Fischer wrote an open letter earlier in the week warning voters against the Shooters Party
‘It’s very regulated here … what happened in Martin Place wasn’t someone with a licensed gun. It’s unfair that these attacks get used against people who do the right thing.’
Locals farmer Malcolm Wiseman agreed with lowering the age limit to 10, saying the Nationals are playing politics with the issue.
Murray Shooters candidate Helen Dalton called Mr Howard’s letter ‘a cheap shot’ and said it was a sign the Coalition are getting desperate.
‘Really this election has nothing to do with guns, it’s to do with all of the services we’re fighting for hospitals, improved water management and the unlocking of national parks for sustainable logging,’ she said.
The letter (pictured) accused the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of wanting to dilute the tough gun laws introduced after the Port Arthur massacre 21 years ago