Two years ago my mentally-ill sister shot and killed my dad. Help end the law that removed the need for gun clubs to check people's backgrounds, which gave her access to a gun.
She’s got a severe mental illness and should never have been able to get a gun. But she got one from a gun club after filling in a simple one-page form. There were no background checks, no waiting period -- the gun club didn’t even check her answers.
The worst thing? This could happen again at any gun club in NSW -- a 2008 law makes it legal for clubs to give out guns to unlicensed shooters without any background checks.
No one else should have to go through what we have. That's why I've started an urgent petition on Change.org asking for the Police Minister to remove this dangerous section of the Firearms Act.
I don't think my sister would have gained access to a gun if that form had been checked -- and it's this failed 2008 law that means clubs can hand guns to unlicensed shooters without checking their background.
I’m not against against shooting or gun clubs; it’s just that people who have access to guns need to be vetted to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands.
The Police Minister has personally promised me that he would investigate problems with the law and consider changing it. But he is not following through -- so I need everyone’s help to make sure that no one else falls victim to a gun crime that could have been avoided.
Dayanthi and the Fernando family.