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Look at the absolute shit we have to put up with.
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AN SA Police deal to sell its second-hand guns to the American public has outraged victims' groups.
It flies in the face of Australia's laws aimed at preventing gun-related violence, victims' groups say.
The deal, struck in April 2008, means 2405 Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers were traded in after police changed to the new Smith & Wesson M&P40 semi-automatic pistols, retailing for $US569 ($540).
The guns were traded-in to maker Smith & Wesson, which then on-sells the second-hand guns to sporting goods distributors who supply retailers.
Victoria Police are believed to have traded in more than 7500 revolvers.
A police spokesman refused to reveal how much the trade-in saved, or how much the new guns cost police, citing a confidentiality agreement.
But victims' groups said they should have been destroyed.
Related Coverage
* Surplus police guns headed for US The Australian, 2 days ago
* Police recover two replica guns and ammo Adelaide Now, 29 Mar 2011
* Aussie in Arizona jail over gun purchase Adelaide Now, 24 Mar 2011
* Police officer shoots himself in foot Herald Sun, 1 Mar 2011
* Trade in stolen guns on the rise Adelaide Now, 15 Feb 2011
Victims' Rights Commissioner Michael O'Connell said the trade-in did not reflect Australia's gun control laws.
"Australia has very strict gun control laws for the intention of reducing gun-related violence," he said. "The ethical basis of that law should also influence the manner in which the police and others deal with their firearms."
Mr O'Connell said much of the violence in the US is not perpetrated by criminals.
"Look at gun violence in schools, in domestic violence situations - there are people who have had access to a legitimate firearm and because of its availability used it in a violent way," he said. "My preference would be the approach adopted by the Australian Federal Police in melting them down because it is consistent with Australia's approach to gun control."
Victim Support Service chief executive Tony Waters agreed that the surplus guns should have been destroyed.
Acting Police Minister Bernard Finnigan would not comment on the firearms sale.
"The State Government believes the Commissioner of Police is best placed to make decisions on new weaponry," he said in an emailed statement.
"These decisions should be made by the experts, not politicians."
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Michael O'Connell isn't a victim of Gun related crime, he hasn't even taken any interest in where firearms are useful. This fella is part of the reason why people don't feel like it's their right to blow some pricks head off that's beating their missus to a pulp, or in their home with intent. The laws don't prevent gun related violence. They hurt a lot more people than they help. This dickhead hasn't spoken to people prosecuted by his precious act.
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AN SA Police deal to sell its second-hand guns to the American public has outraged victims' groups.
It flies in the face of Australia's laws aimed at preventing gun-related violence, victims' groups say.
The deal, struck in April 2008, means 2405 Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers were traded in after police changed to the new Smith & Wesson M&P40 semi-automatic pistols, retailing for $US569 ($540).
The guns were traded-in to maker Smith & Wesson, which then on-sells the second-hand guns to sporting goods distributors who supply retailers.
Victoria Police are believed to have traded in more than 7500 revolvers.
A police spokesman refused to reveal how much the trade-in saved, or how much the new guns cost police, citing a confidentiality agreement.
But victims' groups said they should have been destroyed.
Related Coverage
* Surplus police guns headed for US The Australian, 2 days ago
* Police recover two replica guns and ammo Adelaide Now, 29 Mar 2011
* Aussie in Arizona jail over gun purchase Adelaide Now, 24 Mar 2011
* Police officer shoots himself in foot Herald Sun, 1 Mar 2011
* Trade in stolen guns on the rise Adelaide Now, 15 Feb 2011
Victims' Rights Commissioner Michael O'Connell said the trade-in did not reflect Australia's gun control laws.
"Australia has very strict gun control laws for the intention of reducing gun-related violence," he said. "The ethical basis of that law should also influence the manner in which the police and others deal with their firearms."
Mr O'Connell said much of the violence in the US is not perpetrated by criminals.
"Look at gun violence in schools, in domestic violence situations - there are people who have had access to a legitimate firearm and because of its availability used it in a violent way," he said. "My preference would be the approach adopted by the Australian Federal Police in melting them down because it is consistent with Australia's approach to gun control."
Victim Support Service chief executive Tony Waters agreed that the surplus guns should have been destroyed.
Acting Police Minister Bernard Finnigan would not comment on the firearms sale.
"The State Government believes the Commissioner of Police is best placed to make decisions on new weaponry," he said in an emailed statement.
"These decisions should be made by the experts, not politicians."
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Michael O'Connell isn't a victim of Gun related crime, he hasn't even taken any interest in where firearms are useful. This fella is part of the reason why people don't feel like it's their right to blow some pricks head off that's beating their missus to a pulp, or in their home with intent. The laws don't prevent gun related violence. They hurt a lot more people than they help. This dickhead hasn't spoken to people prosecuted by his precious act.
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