New South Wales Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm issued the following press release today condemning Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision to ‘temporarily’ ban the Adler A110 lever-action shotgun. The SSAA has written an open letter to Justice Minister Michael Keenan about the decision.

Liberal Democrat Senator for NSW David Leyonhjelm has condemned the temporary ban on Adler lever action shotguns the Prime Minister announced on the weekend.

The Adler A110 lever action shotgun was to be imported into Australia next month, but has now been banned until a review of the National Firearms Agreement is complete.

Critics say access to so-called ‘rapid fire firearms’ should be restricted further or banned altogether. Meanwhile, firearm owners point out lever action firearms are legal under the National Firearms Agreement and have been continuously available in Australia for well over a hundred years.

“This ban was introduced without any consultation with the importer, shooting organisations or any of Australia’s 800,000 licensed firearms owners. This is an affront to liberal principles and will inevitably cost the government votes” said Senator Leyonhjelm.

“No evidence has been presented that lever action firearms pose any more risk than firearms currently available. This is simply an attack on the rights of law abiding firearms owners and is driven by fanatical gun haters.

“When I met recently with the Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, I was assured there would be no material changes to the National Firearms Agreement and that firearms owners were being regularly consulted. The plan to suspend the importation of the Adler shotgun and the lack of consultation conflicts with the assurances given to me.

“If these ill-informed changes are introduced I have no choice but to view this as a breach of faith on the part of the government”.