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National Gun Laws

ABC Radio 5AN (Adelaide), Transcript

11 August 1998

By Cheryl Levy

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Brisbane's Magistrate's Court has upheld the validity of Australia's uniform gun legislation and the Queensland Weapons Act in a case described as a publicity stunt.

As Cheryl Levy reports, Martin Essenberg told the court he was using the judicial process to protest against gun laws in the lead-up to the Federal election.

Reporter: Martin Essenberg of Nanango told the court he was a conscientious objector to Australia's gun laws.

He tried to have the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights admitted as evidence to prove the illegality of the Weapons Act under which he was charged.

But Magistrate John Smith refused, and found the defendant guilty of illegal possession of a firearm.

Mr Essenberg then told the court he had no intention of complying with the law and would keep his remaining guns buried.

He was fined four hundred dollars and warned that if he appreared before the courts with another publicity stunt he would be sentenced to jail.

ID: N212

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