July 22, 2015
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan has confirmed that the controversial Adler lever-action shotgun will be included in a review of “technical elements” in the National Firearms Agreement.
First shipments of the 12 gauge shotgun are due to arrive in Australia next month but thousands of the weapons have already been pre-ordered by shooters.
The Adler features an old-fashioned lever-action reloading mechanism and a seven-shot magazine but has alarmed gun-control advocates who believe it is taking advantage of a loophole in Australia’s tough firearms legislation.
As it stands, the Turkish-made Adler will be able to be licensed under the most-popular Category A for recreational shooters.
However, the anti-gun lobby claims the Adler is similar to pump-action shotguns which are far more tightly restricted.
Importer Robert Nioa has fired back at claims the Adler is a rapid-fire weapon.
“A pump action fires at about twice the rate, at least, of the lever action shotgun,” he told the ABC recently.
The Sporting Shooters Association said on Wednesday that it planned to meet with the Federal Government to discuss the Adler and the NFA review.
State branches of the organisation are also meeting with State Government representatives.
“SSAA National has said that it will not support any changes to the current legislation, including upward categorisation, which is not based on scientific evidence and does not bring any further public safety benefit,” a spokesman said.
