AUSTRALIA - Police Warn Of Gun Laws Shake-Up After Shooting

OFF THE WIRE
WA Police may push for tighter gun laws similar to those introduced in NSW to crack down on drive-by shootings.

Speaking after a shooting at a Darch home early yesterday, Det-Supt Charlie Carver revealed that police were looking at NSW laws that clarified issues regarding firearm possession and included tougher penalties for some circumstances of aggravation.

Those include being caught in possession of a firearm three times within a short period of time or having certain types of weapons.

"The main thing from this (the Darch shooting) is to take the firearms off the streets," Det-Supt Carver said.

"We are currently looking at legislation in NSW with a view of informing Parliament.

"The whole emphasis is to take the guns off the street and have a safer community."

Det-Supt Carver said the NSW laws were tightened after more than 130 drive-by shootings during a 10-month spree in 2007.

The Darch shooting occurred at the home of a Comancheros bikie gxxg nominee early yesterday.

Police have responded to a string of bikie-related shootings in the past two years as four gxxgs - the Rebels and Rock Machine, and the Coffin Cheaters and Finks - waged bitter and bloody wars.

Premier Colin Barnett told ABC radio yesterday the State Government would introduce tougher laws if required.

Mr Barnett also said he believed the Corruption and Crime Commission could play a stronger role in tackling organised crime.

"There was an incident in my own electorate only a couple of weeks ago that was bikie-gxxg related," he said.

"There is concern and we need to make sure that we can stop this apparent growth of crime and related activities, particularly these brawls and disputes between these gxxgs.

"It's an unseemly part of our society that seems to be growing."

In NSW, there has been a public push for mandatory jail sentences for anyone convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm after the death of Const. William Crews during a shoot-out with a wanted man about 12 months ago.

http://news.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=216715