Surgeons support plan to strengthen New Zealand gun laws

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) condemns thehorrific violence and senseless loss of life from the shootings attwo Christchurch mosques last Friday and fully supports the NewZealand government’s decision to strengthen the country’s gunlaws.

John Batten, RACS President, says RACS recognises theseriousness and frequency of trauma associated with firearms in NewZealand and Australia.

“Many of our Fellows and Trainees are continuing to worktirelessly at Christchurch Hospital and in Auckland with the peopleinjured and their families. Our thoughts are with the families andfriends of the people who have died and those who were injured inChristchurch on Friday.

“Everything that can be done must be done to prevent anatrocious event like this from ever happening again. We fullysupport the New Zealand government’s decision to take swift actionto introduce strict gun control. This must include the banning ofsemi-automatic firearms. We also call for compulsory training,education, the registration of firearms and not just the licensingof gun owners.

“The introduction of strong gun laws in Australia, after anequally tragic event at Port Arthur in 1996, has proven to be oneof Australia’s most successful public health measures.”

/Public Release. View in full here.