THE 36,000 Victorian members of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia have backed calls to abolish the state’s firearms registry for rifles and shotguns.

An SSAA Victoria spokeswoman said the registry was a costly administrative burden for shooters and taxpayers that had proved worthless in tracing firearms used in gun-­related violence.

“It’s our belief it (the registry) should be abolished,” the SSAA Vic spokeswoman said.

Victorian Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Daniel Young has already called for the registry to be abolished.

The SSAA Vic argues the registry is unnecessary given Victoria Police already has a strict ­licence screening process.

The SSAA Vic spokeswoman said the registry was established in 1983 to link firearm serial numbers to owners, which police could use in fighting crime.

But the SSAA Vic said a 2015 Senate inquiry found 88 per cent of firearms used in violent crimes could not be traced.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the register was important for community safety.

“Victoria Police strongly supports its continued existence,” he said. Abolishing the registry has been backed by 94 per cent of 2863 respondents to The Weekly Times’ online poll.

NO GUN LIST: SHOOTERS FISHERS AND FARMERS MP DANIEL YOUNG