A Port Arthur first responder has joined Tasmanian Labor in urging the state government to bring gun reform laws to parliament before the July 1 federal deadline.
Peter James spent 46 years as an intensive care ambulance officer and was among the first paramedics on the scene at Port Arthur.
He has also attended multiple domestic violence shootings across his career.
James said tighter laws were needed to keep firearms out of the hands of violent offenders.
“It’s not about taking guns off people, it’s restricting the access of guns to these violent, pathetic people that kill their spouses or traumatise their children,” James said.
He said former prime minister John Howard met with Port Arthur first responders on April 28, the 30th anniversary of the massacre and told them watering down gun laws would be his biggest disappointment.
James described sheltering with children at domestic violence callouts while police hunted the gunman.
“Until they’re secured and the guns are taken off them, everyone’s at risk and the community as well,” he said.
He spoke alongside shadow police, fire and emergency services minister Jen Butler in Launceston.
Butler said Premier Jeremy Rockliff signed up to gun reform at National Cabinet but was yet to introduce legislation, putting Commonwealth buyback funding at risk.
“The premier is delaying and that deadline is looming,” Butler said.
“We are calling on the premier to put community safety first and make sure that they introduce the gun law reform legislation to parliament as soon as possible.”
The federal package includes a cap on the number of firearms any one person can hold.
“This is above politics. This is about community safety,” Butler said.
Minister Bridget Archer would not commit to a date for introducing the legislation when asked on Wednesday.
“We’ll continue to work through that and obviously have intentions of introducing legislation,” Archer said.
“We think that what we have proposed gets the balance right in terms of responsible firearms ownership, but also in pursuing enhanced public safety.”
Butler said Labor would back sensible reform but the government had not released the detail of its plan.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
In an emergency, call 000. Lifeline is available 24 hours on 13 11 14.
