South Australian premier told gun lobby he wouldn’t tighten firearm laws

Peter Malinauskas told a peak shooters group he had no plans to amend South Australia’s firearms laws, in a letter signed a day before the government entered caretaker mode for the state election on 21 March. The assurance came despite the state having agreed to a national crackdown after the Bondi beach massacre.

The premier said South Australia already has some of the strictest and most comprehensive firearms laws, designed to protect the community while recognising that most owners are responsible, law‑abiding citizens. The state limits ownership to Australian citizens and permanent residents and requires licences to be renewed at least every five years, two measures that featured in the national cabinet agreement.

Malinauskas left the door open to future changes, saying any new laws would be approached carefully, thoughtfully and with genuine consultation. He gave a similar response when asked whether a re‑elected Labor government would implement the national cabinet agreement.

Australia, South Australia

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