What can be done to introduce uniform firearms laws in Australia?
There are a number of options that could be used to produce uniform firearms laws in Australia. These are set out briefly below. A Cooperative Approach This is the approach that has been adopted through APMC. Prime Minister Howard will go to an APMC meeting on 10 May 1996 with further proposals for the type of uniform gun laws that the Commonwealth wants to see in place throughout Australia. Referral Of Powers From The States To The Commonwealth Under section 51(xxxvii) of the Constitution, the Commonwealth Parliament can make laws on matters referred to it by a State or States. Section 51(xxxvii) further provides that ‘the law shall extend only to States by whose Parliaments the matter is referred, or which afterwards adopt the law.’ The Premier of New South Wales, Mr Bob Carr, has introduced the Commonwealth Powers (Firearms) Bill into the New South Wales Parliament. The purpose of the proposed legislation is to refer control of firearms to the Commonwealth. In order for a referral o
