00:00When it comes to the ACT's gun laws, Shane Stroud knows better than most what works and what doesn't.
00:09You know what Canberra's like, everybody knows each other, so we self-regulate and self-control.
00:15He concedes the system isn't perfect, but insists Canberra still boasts a safe, coherent and cohesive gun culture.
00:23There are 7,000 licensed firearms owners in the ACT and 5,200 plus of them are part of our association here.
00:31He's concerned likely changes to the ACT's gun laws, including caps on the number of firearms an individual can own,
00:39and categorisation will have unintended consequences, particularly when licences cover recreational, hunting and professional uses.
00:48Most people don't bat an eye when you tell them that a golf bag contains about 14 different clubs to play one round of golf. Shooting sports are very similar.
00:57The ACT government acknowledges a proportion of local law-abiding residents will be affected.
01:03Who have, say, six, seven, ten firearms that may be impacted. It depends though.
01:09There will also be exemptions for sports shooters, for farmers, similar to what New South Wales has done.
01:15The government also needs community and parliamentary support to strengthen the ACT's anti-vilification laws,
01:22which generally punish hate speech with civil penalties like fines.
01:27There is a live question in light again of recent events as to whether, in extreme cases, criminal penalties should apply.
01:36MLAs will sit for the first time this year on February 3rd.
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