FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer has urged Donald Trump to follow Australia’s lead on gun control in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting which has claimed the lives of more than 50 people.
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Mr Fischer and other regional MPs risked political kick-back when Prime Minister John Howard introduced tougher gun control measures in response to 35 people being shot at Port Arthur in 1996.
The former Farrer MP said the US president had to stand firm against the National Rifle Association and make change.
“It is now absolutely necessary for the US to address their dysfunctionality on guns,” Mr Fischer said.
“No more excuses, no more saying now is not the right time.
“It wasn’t the right time after 49 were killed in Orlando.
“But you’ve got to get the job done.
“It will take guts, but it is time to end the ugly lock the National Rifle Association has had on Congress and the White House for far too long.”
Wodonga couple John and Liz Howes were jetting into Las Vegas when gunman Stephen Paddock shot at people attending a concert from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
“For those who knew that we were going to Las Vegas we are ok,” Mrs Howes said on Facebook.
“I just don’t get it.”
Mr Fischer recalls the hostile reaction he and former Indi MP Lou Liebermann encountered at a public meeting in Wodonga to support the changes.
They included restrictions on ownership of high capacity semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns and uniform licensing.
“I strongly support farmers having guns and I strongly support sporting shooters having their proper guns,” he said.
“But I strongly support draining the suburbs and the towns of automatics and heavy automatics.”
Mr Fischer said Mr Trump had a chance to show the world he was a “true leader” following the shootings.
“There ought to be a reverse ad taken that anyone carrying a five-star endorsement from the NRA is unacceptable to be elected to the next Congress,” he said.
