Aussie police granted unprecedented search powers to counter gun crime
Source: Xinhua   2017-03-14 08:48:38

SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Victoria police will be granted unprecedented search powers in an effort to counter the rise of gun violence in Australia.

The legislation to be made law by the Victorian government will grant law enforcement the authority to put people of concern on a Firearms Prohibition Order (FBO), banning them from owning a gun.

Police will also be allowed to search anyone for a gun without a warrant and breaching an FPO will carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Similar FPO laws introduced in New South Wales (NSW) in 2013 have been hailed as a key in reducing organized crime in Sydney.

Since FPOs were introduced, the rate of shootings in Sydney has reportedly dropped to the lowest in two decades.

Victoria Police is reportedly also preparing for the state to introduce anti-association laws, which would criminalize the act of large groups, notably bikie gangs, from associating with one another.

"Police are assessing a number of individuals including outlaw motorcycle gang members in regards to the application of these notices," a government official told News Limited on Tuesday regarding the anti-association laws.

Victoria police have previously expressed fears that the state's lack of tough anti-gang laws would lead to motorcycle gangs using the state as a refuge.

John Pesutto, Victoria's shadow attorney-general, said that current anti-consorting laws were not being implemented to the necessary extent.

"Victorians are rightly outraged when they see high-profile offenders free to swan around with other criminals like celebrities," Pesutto said.

Among those to be targeted by the anti-association laws is former gang boss Toby Mitchell who is due to be released from prison within weeks.

Mitchell, who has served prison sentences for drug and weapon-related crimes, often pots photos on social media of him with other gang members, meetings which would be outlawed under the new legislation.

Editor: liuxin
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Aussie police granted unprecedented search powers to counter gun crime

Source: Xinhua 2017-03-14 08:48:38
[Editor: huaxia]

SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Victoria police will be granted unprecedented search powers in an effort to counter the rise of gun violence in Australia.

The legislation to be made law by the Victorian government will grant law enforcement the authority to put people of concern on a Firearms Prohibition Order (FBO), banning them from owning a gun.

Police will also be allowed to search anyone for a gun without a warrant and breaching an FPO will carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Similar FPO laws introduced in New South Wales (NSW) in 2013 have been hailed as a key in reducing organized crime in Sydney.

Since FPOs were introduced, the rate of shootings in Sydney has reportedly dropped to the lowest in two decades.

Victoria Police is reportedly also preparing for the state to introduce anti-association laws, which would criminalize the act of large groups, notably bikie gangs, from associating with one another.

"Police are assessing a number of individuals including outlaw motorcycle gang members in regards to the application of these notices," a government official told News Limited on Tuesday regarding the anti-association laws.

Victoria police have previously expressed fears that the state's lack of tough anti-gang laws would lead to motorcycle gangs using the state as a refuge.

John Pesutto, Victoria's shadow attorney-general, said that current anti-consorting laws were not being implemented to the necessary extent.

"Victorians are rightly outraged when they see high-profile offenders free to swan around with other criminals like celebrities," Pesutto said.

Among those to be targeted by the anti-association laws is former gang boss Toby Mitchell who is due to be released from prison within weeks.

Mitchell, who has served prison sentences for drug and weapon-related crimes, often pots photos on social media of him with other gang members, meetings which would be outlawed under the new legislation.

[Editor: huaxia]
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