Thread: Support for tighter Acat storage

Lots of good arguments for and against. Some security measures are well below par. Good security for your firearms and the cost of those precautions is something you should include in your decision when you buy your first firearm. It would be great if we could rely on the individuals to chose the appropriate standard of security for their particular set of circumstances. This is clearly not the case so the rule makers feel they need to step in and set minimum standards. This happens in many other industries. My security is chosen to keep every one safe but also to stop the crims from pinching my toys. I think the bar should be raised.
The Ecat Acat arguement is a tough one. I fail to see how a rifle with a pistol grip/flasher hider/bayonet lug is anymore dangerous than one without. Mag size makes a difference but really not a lot and its easy to get a bigger mag and someone who is well drilled could fire more rounds faster and with more effect than a muppet like me wit a big calacrity mag. I was thinking maybe calibre could be the tripping point but as Beavis said heaps of crime is committed with 22s and shot guns, not always semis. So are centrefire semi rifles with large capacity mags more dangerous than bolt actions with small mags. They can do more damage so yes they are more dangerous, in the wrong hands. But at close range a semi 12 Guage can do way more damage, so should they be Ecat as well??.
It seems I don't have the answer. Lawful ownership of firearms is a responsibility that most take seriously. Some don't and couldn't give a toss. If everyone took that responsibility seriously and everyone obeyed the law we wouldn't be having this discussion.
What I would like see happen is increased minimum security for Acat. Better initial vetting and maybe renewing more often. Alot can change in 10 years.
This would off course require more resources for the police for processing. I know this penalises lawful gun owners.
Maybe the answer is more resources for the police to sort gun crime. Better deterents for gun crime. More resources for mental health services and better collaboration between them and the police. There it is, the answer, I got there in the end.
Now I know someone is going to tell me why I am all wrong and I still haven't addressed the Acat Ecat issue.
sorry for the ramblings. Half way thru I had to go shoot a possum the dogs had treed and it takes me 10minutes to get the gun out the safe.