Dear Beagle Editor,
Eurobodalla Shire Council has policies on everything from Aged Care Service to Build in the Vicinity of Sewer Mains, but nothing on guns, even though it’s such an important and controversial issue and one that council has increasing control over.
Never-the-less council’s underlying principles in connection with sale of firearms appear to be as follows
*Guns may be sold from a public building as long as the sale is legal.
*The local community has no effective role in decision making. Decisions are made by council staff and the gun lobby and then presented by council.
*Advice of the Environment Defence Office and the NSW Auditor general is of little or no consequence when opposed to advice from the council’s own legal team.
*The community may be informed, but their opinions are not taken into consideration
* Petitions, submissions, presentations to council,letters are to be studiously ignored or fobbed off to staff
In comparison the policies clearly laid out in the reform package of Community Voice Eurobodalla at the time of the previous council election clearly state that
*Community Voice Eurobodalla is opposed to the development of an American-style gun culture in Eurobodalla.We object to the deliberate and dangerous promotion of this gun culture to teenagers through HuntFest.
* We respect the need for farmers and some others in the rural community to hold licensed guns.
*Respect the right of people to participate in target and other skill-based shooting, especially in target shooting clubs.
*Insist that if the destruction of feral animals and culling is necessary for environmental protection, this must only be taken by licenced professionals operating under the strict control of appropriate government authorities.
Billie (Name supplied)
