XN000022-1981-07-30 — Page 17

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1981

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FIREARMS BILL APPROVED

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THE ARMS AND AMMUNITION BILL, WHICH AIMS TO STRENGTHEN AND MODERNISE THE LAW RELATING TO ARMS AND AMMUNITION, HAS BEEN RETITLED THE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION BILL AND PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.

THIS IS TO DISTINGUISH IT FROM THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AND TO EMPHASISE THAT IT DEALS WITH FIREARMS AND NOT WEAPONS BEING DEALT WITH UNDER ANOTHER BILL.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR PETER C, WONG SAID IT IS PARTICULARLY WELCOME AT THIS TIME WHEN THE PUBLIC

IS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASING INCIDENCE IN THE UNLAWFUL USE OF FIREARMS+.

THE LAW ENACTED IN 1933 WAS NOT DESIGNED TO COPE WITH PRESENT DAY SITUATIONS AND THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED WERE INADEQUATE, HE SAID.

WHILE AGREEING THE PROPOSED NEW LAW MAY NOT NECESSARILY REDUCE THE UNLAWFUL USE OF FIREARMS, MR WONG SAID +WITH A STRENGTHENED AND MODERNISED ORDINANCE, THE LAW ENFORCING AGENCIES WILL HAVE A POWERFUL WEAPON TO COMBAT OFFENCES WHICH THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT. +

SIX BILLS BECOME LAW

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SIX BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

THEY ARE THE ARMS AND AMMUNITION BILL 1981, THE WEAPONS BILL 1981, THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1981, THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1981 AND THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981.

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