AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-1999
QLD: Gun owners group joins criticism of website
BRISBANE, April 17 AAP - A national gun owners group has joined a barrage of criticism of a
competition to photograph politicians' homes and publish details on the Internet.
Queensland Firearms Owners Association president Ron Owen, a prominent gun dealer, said
yesterday that his Internet magazine's "Government Home and Garden Competition" invited
subscribers to photograph politicians' homes and supply their addresses.
He said the aim was to make politicians accountable and accessible.
Entries already received included the homes of Prime Minister John Howard, four Queensland
MPs including Premier Peter Beattie, Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett and federal Education,
Training and Youth Affairs minister David Kemp, Mr Owen said.
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) today attacked the competition,
calling for Mr Owen to remove offensive items in the website.
SSAA spokesman Gary Fleetwood said the competition did nothing to strengthen or rebuild the
relationship between firearm owners and non-owners.
"Any action that appears to damage the image of firearm owners must be deplored," Mr
Fleetwood said in a statement.
"In addition, while firearm owners often do not see eye-to-eye with this country's elected
leaders, it is essential to keep the doors open for constructive debate in the name of
sensible and informed legislation creation," he said.
"Too often in the past, legislation has been forced on the law abiding firearm owner by
government with little or no consultation with the lawfully firearm-owning community."
Yesterday, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the competition was a "publicity stunt"
and indicated he may review the state's privacy laws.
Civil libertarians, religious groups and politicians have also condemned the competition
and Mr Owen's comments.
AAP rad/kr
KEYWORD: OWEN DAYLEAD
1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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