SPORTING SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (SA) INC.

MEDIA RELEASE

21 October 2007 - For Immediate Release

DPP Ignores Crime, Goes After Farmers and Olympians

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (South Australia) President Mr David McCarthy has expressed “disappointment and concern” at (Director of Public Prosecutions) Stephen Pallaras’ latest unfounded attack on farmers and licensed firearms owners, through a Sunday Mail column.

“Unfortunately, it seems Mr Pallaras still choses to ignore the fact that misuse of firearms in South Australia is intimately associated with drugs and gangs, and that the greatest public good can be served by tackling those issues and their roots,” said Mr McCarthy.

Mr Pallaras’ demand last week for a total gun ban was overwhelmingly dismissed by policy makers as an unrealistic stance that would not address criminal misuse of firearms. 

“Mr Pallaras continues to pour vitriol upon ‘soft targets’ like farmers who must destroy stock due to their struggles with drought, hunters who perform a valuable role in feral animal mitigation, and our elite level athletes who are about to go into training for the upcoming Olympic games. 

“How our DPP, of all people, thinks his extreme position and prejudice-filled comments can possibly make a constructive contribution to addressing gang-related crimes remains a mystery.”

Media Contact:

Mr David McCarthy

President

S.S.A.A. (S.A.)

Mobile 0412225716