THEY CONNED SHOOTERS IN 2018 & 2024 by reneging on promises to help firearm users, but the Tasmanian Liberal Party has done nothing but try to dump more red tape on shooters ever since. TASMANIA’S fifth election in eleven years will be held on July 19th.  The Liberals, who are desperate to hang onto government after losing its premier in a no-confidence motion, will be equally desperate to convince shooters that voting for them is the way to go. IN THIS EPISODE of Gun News Australia, we speak with a face who will be very familiar with GNA viewers, Phillip Bigg, Independent Candidate for Lyons, about the issues facing shooters.   Not just at this election, but for the next 20 years as Tasmanian shooters aim to regain lost ground. Phillip talks about Tasmania’s Police Minister, Felix Ellis, refusal to engage in sensible debate and discussion with that state’s shooting community after the appalling way the Tasmanian Liberals broke promises and have now made the licensing application and renewal processes more complicated than they need to be. In the lead up to the interview, Phillip put key questions to Ellis, seeking his response by 29 June.  Ellis failed to respond, which tell us whose side he’s on (or not on). WE also talk about suppressors and the perception that dogs the issue. That’s because many politicians think that what they see in the movies is the truth, without being remotely prepared to consider why that may not be the case. Major shooting organisations provided letters of support for Phillip’s proposal to hold a ‘demonstration’ for politicians.  Unfortunately, SSAA Tasmania refused to join them. IMPORTANTLY, Phillip has committed to, if elected, introducing a bill into parliament to fix the key issues that the current Liberal Government won’t. Our message to other shooting organisations is even if you prefer not to get involved in politics, this is a time when what you do – or don’t do – will affect the future of your sport.  That’s because sitting down and doing nothing will simply let the political attacks continue. That’s why we recommend shooting organisations realise the position they’re in and (quickly) get behind Phillip Bigg, as the election approaches.