Senate inquiry finds more needs to be done to address gun crime...

A Senate investigation into illegal firearms has today recommended more funding for law enforcement agencies to tackle gun crime in Australia.

The inquiry, initiated by Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright, found a lack of quality data and national inconsistencies were hampering efforts to understand the black market.

Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright says the Northern Territory Government's shotgun raffle is completely inappropriate.

Senator Wright, who is currently chairing a Senate inquiry into illicit firearms, said even though the gun would go to a licenced shooter, it was surprising the NT Government would offer a weapon as a prize to hunters to putting their permit returns.

The Australian Greens have urged the Labor Party to remain strong in opposing mandatory minimum sentences for gun trafficking, saying the Abbott Government's legislation would not make Australians safer.

Australian Greens legal affairs spokesperson and chair of a current Senate inquiry into illicit firearms Senator Penny Wright said there was no evidence mandatory minimum sentences were effective and tackling gun crime required a more sophisticated approach.

The Greens have written to the President of the Senate opposing armed guards being stationed inside both chambers of Parliament.

"More guns don't make people safer," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Australians don't want militarisation of our public spaces, which includes Parliament.

"The Greens do not support firearms being carried anywhere inside the building.

"It has been a long-standing practise in the Westminster system that no arms are to be carried in the Parliament."

New gun trafficking laws to be announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott today will do little to improve community safety, says Australian Greens legal affairs spokesperson Senator Penny Wright.

“The Prime Minister’s got the wrong end of the stick. Most illegal guns are not trafficked into Australia, they are stolen from registered owners,” Senator Wright said. “That’s really where the focus needs to be.”

“Mandatory sentencing does not reduce crime – it only locks people up once the damage has been done.”

New weapons manufacturing methods, including 3D printing, will be examined by the Australian Greens' new Senate inquiry into illegal guns.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Legal Affairs Senator Penny Wright said the three-month investigation would provide recommendations to government on how to make Australian streets safer.

"Homemade 3D printed guns are a real threat, because they're impossible to track and tricky to pick up in security screening," Senator Wright said.

I move that the Senate refers the following matter to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 October 2014:

1.       The ability of Australian law enforcement authorities to eliminate gun-related violence in the community, with reference to:

a.       the estimated number, distribution and lethality of illegal guns, including both outlawed and stolen guns, in Australia;

b.      the operation and consequences of the illicit firearms trade, including both outlawed and stolen guns within Australia;