news, local-news,

A local resident's question about gun laws caused such an uproar at Gunnedah's Meet the Candidates event that organisers had to intervene. Gunnedah woman Rebecca Ryan asked what was "at risk" if a minor party was voted in and said she had concerns about Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) "relaxing the gun laws". In the past, the party put forward to streamline laws to allow 10-year-old to use firearms under adult supervision, however, after the decision came under fire, now believe in the status quo, which is 12 years and under. SFF party candidate Jeff Bacon responded to Ms Ryan's comments, saying "there is not one part of our policy that will go anywhere near relaxing gun laws". "We want to increase the penalties in place for crimes committed with firearms. We want to put a permanent amnesty in place to get firearms that are on the street, off the street," Mr Bacon said. Mr Bacon went on to say that Mr Anderson had "voted against" the policies, to which Mr Anderson immediately responded. "The reason why I voted against them was it was part of a package to put guns in 10-year-old's hands and register them," Mr Anderson said. The sitting MP's response was greeted with cries of "bullshit" from the audience. "That is complete bullshit. How can you stand there and say that?" Mr Bacon said before the organisers then took the microphone and moved to the next question. Got something to say? Send a letter to the editor. Keep up-to-date with all your local news by subscribing here.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/6vwjsNKWypZeVkMQsfcHaQ/daa411e9-d73b-4d26-8709-eee7fd201409.jpg/r0_464_4952_3262_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg