UPDATE: A KEY hunting group does not support a pro-firearms rally being organised for later this month.

Australian Deer Association national president David Voss said the time was not yet right for a rally.

“Rallies, on their own, rarely achieve a political result,” Mr Voss said.

“They cost a lot of time and money to organise and they run the risk of provoking counter-rallies and of being misconstrued by the media.

“This reclassification fight is going to be a long haul — we have limited funds, a limited volunteer base and limited political and social capital and we do not believe that this is the best use of resources.”

Mr Voss said the ADA would be directed by the wishes of its members if they wanted to support a rally in the future.

Organisations like ADA and Field and Game Australia have been urging members to write to their local politicians to protest over Federal Government moves on legal firearms.

Shooters have been told to prepare for a show of force over last month’s surprise intervention by Prime Minister Tony Abbott to suspend imports of the controversial Adler lever-action shotgun.

The Shooters and Fishers Party Victoria has been behind moves to organise a rally in Melbourne this month.

A party spokesman said there were a “great deal” of legal and other logistic issues to be worked through before a rally could proceed.

The spokesman said no dates or possible locations had been fixed but it was hoped the rally would still be in August.

“There is a lot of work to do before we can say anything firm about that,” he said.

Shooters from across Australia have been calling for rallies, similar to those last seen in 2008, to demonstrate their displeasure over moves to further restrict access to firearms.

Mr Abbott on the weekend suspended imports of the Adler shotgun for at least six months until a review of the National Firearms Agreement is complete early next year.

RELATED COVERAGE

Shock over Adler move

Adler shotgun imports on hold

Shooters distrust gun bureaucrats on gun law changes

Shooter fires up gun owners by supporting firearms law changes

Recoil on gun-law change

New gun buyback mooted

Gun-law debate triggered

Gun laws likely to change

Shotgun in hot demand

Gun laws face a challenge

New shotgun in law’s sights

Time to reload on gun debate

Shooters have been demanding “a seat at the table” in the gun debate, which they claim is mostly held behind closed doors.

The Federal Government has admitted it did not consult with shooters or the Queensland importer of the Adler A110 lever-action shotgun before it suspended imports of the gun.

Robert Nioa, managing director of the importer, NIOA, said he had been surprised by Mr Abbott’s intervention.

Mr Nioa said there had been no consultation on this issue with farmers, licensed firearm owners, or the Australian firearms industry.

Shooters and Fishers Party Victoria MPs said the review of the NFA was “clearly not aimed at making the agreement fair or workable or even effective”.

Eastern Victoria MLC Jeff Bourman said: “Again we have the law abiding being punished while the government pretends to be doing something to fight crime”.

“If the Abbott Government wants to really do something about illegal firearms, they could put more funds into agencies such as the Border Force so they can check more containers coming into the country instead of wasting money on repressing the law abiding.”

Northern Victoria MLC Daniel Young said: “How dare Mr. Abbott, use the excuse of terrorism to attack me.

“This Liberal Government is again making the mistake of blaming myself, and like-minded people for the actions of criminals. Is this really in the interest of public safety? Or is this another act to be ‘looking like we’re doing something’.”

“I got into this job to stop criminals and thugs from harming the community and destroying my reputation.

“It is clear that The Shooters and Fishers Party will have to be the party that tackles gun-related crime, instead of taking the easy way out and attacking those who have done no wrong.”