From: SSAA, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Media Release 17/8/2000 Amanda Vanstone Minister for Customs Handgun Import Controls Minister for Justice and Customs, Amanda Vanstone, today announced further tighter regulations to control the importation of handguns into Australia, effective from midnight tonight. "This change is aimed at reducing the diversion of handguns to the black market," Senator Vanstone said. "Legitimate holders of a handgun licence, such as security personnel, competition shooters and firearm collectors, will not be directly affected by these changes. Firearm licencing and registration remain the responsibility of State and Territory Governments. "Anyone authorised by State or Territory police to possess a handgun will still be able to import handguns." Recent Australian Institute of Criminology research highlights a significant increase since 1996 in the proportion of homicides committed with handguns, compared with an overall decline in the total firearm homicide rate over the same period.
