Haz.
Regular Member
imported post
Interesting article in the Newcastle Morning Herald this morning. I thought I would share this with my friends here on this board. Firearm ownership is slowing increasing here especially in country areas. Notice the statement, Mudgee hasthe lowest crime rate!
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/mudgee-region-in-top-for-firearm-ownership/1857394.aspx?storypage=1
Mudgee region in top for firearm ownership
14 Jun, 2010 01:25 PM
Mudgee has more firearms licence holders per head of population than any major town in New South Wales according to a NSW Police report to the NSW Government and recorded in Hansard on April 20 this year.
The report, which recorded firearm licences by postcode area shows that Mudgee (postcode 2850) has 1862 firearms licence holders.
Only Tamworth (2794), Goulburn (2049), Bathurst (2528), Orange (2278), Dubbo (2193) and Wagga Wagga (2107) have more firearms licence holders than Mudgee.
However, when you include other post codes in the Mid Western Regional Council area (Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos) the number sky rockets to 2791 and second place to Tamworth with a total population of less than half of the Tamworth postcode area.
The report also shows that major rural centres Armidale (1502) and Grafton (1620) have fewer firearms licences than Mudgee.
Statewide there are 177,675 firearms licence holders, or 1.57 per cent of the total number of licence holders in the state from a population base of approximately 0.36 per cent of the State’s population and the highest firearms ownership rate in the state.
Mudgee Police Crime Manager Inspector David Payne said firearms ownership only became a problem if they were not stored properly.
“If they are stored properly it minimises the risk of firearms falling into wrong hands,” Inspector Payne said.
“Currently Police are doing audits to ensure that firearms licence holders have their firearms stored correctly.”
(I have had three safe storage checks in as many years: As if my firearms safe is about to take a walk? -Haz).
Sporting shooters boost figures
Local competitive shooter and shooting club administrator Errol Grieve said that the popularity of shooting sports in the district coupled with farming communities generally having high firearm ownership.
“There are about 12 firearms clubs in the district with membership more than 1000,” Mr Grieve said.
“The oldest of the shooting clubs is the Mudgee Rifle Club, which was formed in 1884.
“At that time rifle clubs were considered a defence of the realm.”
Mr Grieve said he was surprised that there were not more firearms collectors in the district and the number of permits indicates the honesty of shooters in this district by complying with the law.
Firearms student and researcher of colonial history Jeff Marr said this district had a rich colonial history involving firearms and that included bushrangers and the rural settlers.
“Firearms ownership was brought on by the gold rushes that started in 1851 at Hargraves and in those days everybody was armed,” Mr Marr said.
“We also have excellent facilities for firearms competitors, such as the Windamere ranges, and to this end this district has produced many champions in shooting sports.”
Mr Marr, a retired police officer, also pointed out that despite the high number of firearms licences, Mudgee has the lowest crime rate in the state.
Mudgee gun dealer Jim Pirie said the numbers reflect strong firearms sporting enthusiasts in the district, the popularity of hunting as a sport and the fact that almost every farmer has a gun as a tool of trade.
“I conduct about 100 firearms licence tests a year,” Mr Pirie said.
“Before a licence is issued applicants have to undertake a two hour course and each applicant is well screened and educated.”
Severe penalties apply for anyone being caught with firearms that are unregistered and the owners unlicensed.
PICTURED BELOW, ERROL GRIEVE;
FIREARMS LICENCES: Errol Grieve is a dedicated researcher of antique firearms and is a heritage target shooter. He is pictured with an Enfield muzzle loading service rifle circa 1858. Note his firearms licence worn in a plastic pouch carried on a necklace. Mg090610/errolgrieve
Interesting article in the Newcastle Morning Herald this morning. I thought I would share this with my friends here on this board. Firearm ownership is slowing increasing here especially in country areas. Notice the statement, Mudgee hasthe lowest crime rate!
.
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/mudgee-region-in-top-for-firearm-ownership/1857394.aspx?storypage=1
Mudgee region in top for firearm ownership
14 Jun, 2010 01:25 PM
Mudgee has more firearms licence holders per head of population than any major town in New South Wales according to a NSW Police report to the NSW Government and recorded in Hansard on April 20 this year.
The report, which recorded firearm licences by postcode area shows that Mudgee (postcode 2850) has 1862 firearms licence holders.
Only Tamworth (2794), Goulburn (2049), Bathurst (2528), Orange (2278), Dubbo (2193) and Wagga Wagga (2107) have more firearms licence holders than Mudgee.
However, when you include other post codes in the Mid Western Regional Council area (Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos) the number sky rockets to 2791 and second place to Tamworth with a total population of less than half of the Tamworth postcode area.
The report also shows that major rural centres Armidale (1502) and Grafton (1620) have fewer firearms licences than Mudgee.
Statewide there are 177,675 firearms licence holders, or 1.57 per cent of the total number of licence holders in the state from a population base of approximately 0.36 per cent of the State’s population and the highest firearms ownership rate in the state.
Mudgee Police Crime Manager Inspector David Payne said firearms ownership only became a problem if they were not stored properly.
“If they are stored properly it minimises the risk of firearms falling into wrong hands,” Inspector Payne said.
“Currently Police are doing audits to ensure that firearms licence holders have their firearms stored correctly.”
(I have had three safe storage checks in as many years: As if my firearms safe is about to take a walk? -Haz).
Sporting shooters boost figures
Local competitive shooter and shooting club administrator Errol Grieve said that the popularity of shooting sports in the district coupled with farming communities generally having high firearm ownership.
“There are about 12 firearms clubs in the district with membership more than 1000,” Mr Grieve said.
“The oldest of the shooting clubs is the Mudgee Rifle Club, which was formed in 1884.
“At that time rifle clubs were considered a defence of the realm.”
Mr Grieve said he was surprised that there were not more firearms collectors in the district and the number of permits indicates the honesty of shooters in this district by complying with the law.
Firearms student and researcher of colonial history Jeff Marr said this district had a rich colonial history involving firearms and that included bushrangers and the rural settlers.
“Firearms ownership was brought on by the gold rushes that started in 1851 at Hargraves and in those days everybody was armed,” Mr Marr said.
“We also have excellent facilities for firearms competitors, such as the Windamere ranges, and to this end this district has produced many champions in shooting sports.”
Mr Marr, a retired police officer, also pointed out that despite the high number of firearms licences, Mudgee has the lowest crime rate in the state.
Mudgee gun dealer Jim Pirie said the numbers reflect strong firearms sporting enthusiasts in the district, the popularity of hunting as a sport and the fact that almost every farmer has a gun as a tool of trade.
“I conduct about 100 firearms licence tests a year,” Mr Pirie said.
“Before a licence is issued applicants have to undertake a two hour course and each applicant is well screened and educated.”
Severe penalties apply for anyone being caught with firearms that are unregistered and the owners unlicensed.
PICTURED BELOW, ERROL GRIEVE;
FIREARMS LICENCES: Errol Grieve is a dedicated researcher of antique firearms and is a heritage target shooter. He is pictured with an Enfield muzzle loading service rifle circa 1858. Note his firearms licence worn in a plastic pouch carried on a necklace. Mg090610/errolgrieve
