Jonathan O'Dea MP, Liberal for Davidson, says the laws governing where a shop selling guns can be located are totally inadequate. This follows the recent approval through Ku-ring-gai Council of a “sporting goods” shop in Babbage Road Roseville Chase and complaints from constituents about the approval of the shop, which will sell guns and ammunition.
“The approval process has not adequately taken into account either safety issues in the location or local community views,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The proposed gun shop is opposite a community centre, which includes childcare facilities, and is located in a local suburban strip shopping area near bus stops used by many school children.
“Today I have written to the General Manager of Ku-ring-gai Council asking why they made the decision under delegated authority without advertising to the surrounding area.
“A chemist shop in the same shopping strip has been held up twice in the past few years and a nearby service station was also recently robbed at gunpoint.
“I have also written to the NSW Police Minister requesting that the NSW Government review the whole firearms dealer licensing issue and introduce serious safeguards to protect residential areas from gun shops.
“I understand the Firearms Registry has raised with the Iemma Government the need to put into law safety matters like the selling of guns and ammunition in suburban residential areas, but the NSW Government has been slow to act. This must be addressed without delay as the approval of this shop to sell guns and ammunition in a local residential area suggests the current laws are seriously lacking.
“The old real estate adage: ‘location, location, location’ applies here as gun shops must be placed away from suburban strip shops in residential areas to protect all concerned.
“I respect those who use guns for sport and other legitimate purposes but it is the location of this gun shop that has many in my Electorate of Davidson rightly concerned.
For further information please call the Davidson Electorate office on 02 9880 7400.
