Firearm trading restrictions finally lifted

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto with the owners of Pagan Firearms, Anthony and Tanya Pagan, earlier this year before COVID-19 restrictions were in place.

RECREATIONAL and sport shooters will finally be able to purchase firearms and ammunition they need after the State Labor Government fully lifted trading restrictions on licensed dealers and armourers.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said he while he was thrilled for sport and recreational shooters, there was never any justification for the trading ban to have been implemented by the Chief Health Officer in the First place.

“The trading ban was never necessary and was a classic example of bureaucratic overreach,” Mr Dametto said.

“When the initial blanket dealer ban came out, I was proud to have worked alongside the firearms industry to force the government to put a number of license code exemptions in place which has since allowed licensed dealers to sell to primary producers and pest controllers in need of firearms and ammunition to manage properties.

“But even after these exemptions were put in place, the battle was not yet over. Today is a victory for recreational and sport shooters, but it was a ban that should have never been imposed on them or any licensed firearms owner and caused some much unnecessary frustration.”

Mr Dametto said after several weeks of lobbying the government, it was “finally good to see common sense prevail”.

“As a shooter, I look forward to getting back to enjoying my chosen sport. Both myself and the sports shooting community will not forget what Labor did to law-abiding firearm owners in a hurry,” he said.

“Katter’s Australian Party will always stand up for the rights of legitimate firearms owners.”