Rivalry! That’s gun upshot

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong’s top cop has compared the police force’s revolver or semi-automatic handgun debate to the Holden and Ford car rivalry.
Region Five Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans this week welcomed Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon’s announcement that Victoria Police would move towards using semi-automatic pistols in place of .38-calibre revolvers.
But he said it had mainly been the Police Association making noise about the matter – not the general membership of Victoria Police.
“The (revolvers) are a very reliable firearm,” Mr Evans said.
“I think the issue is really about maintenance of the current revolvers, versus the new safety features of semi-automatics.
“It’s like the Holden versus Ford argument: some people prefer Holden, some prefer Ford, and for different reasons.
“But a majority of police members have never looked at semi-automatic hand guns to compare with the revolvers.
“A lot of members I spoke to about it said it didn’t bother them which one they used.”
Last week Ms Nixon announced the force would move towards semi-automatic pistols, despite opposing a similar move earlier this year.
Ms Nixon said that new technology had made semi-automatic pistols safer to use and less prone to misfiring and jamming – unlike the revolver which Mr Evans said was so reliable it was ‘copper proof’.
Mr Evans said Victoria Police would continue using revolvers until all semi-automatic options were considered.
“We have to do a bit more work yet,” he said.
“We have to look at the appropriate types of weapons to purchase, and make sure we get it right.
“There’s also the matter of training, as well, so there is a lot of work to be done.”
In a statement to Police Association members, secretary Paul Mullett welcomed Victoria Police’s announcement.
“For the past four years, the Police Association, on behalf of its members has advocated the introduction of semi-automatics as a superior weapon,” he wrote.
“The implementation of semi-automatics is a welcome step forward in providing adequate and modern equipment to police in this state and upholding the highest standards of community safety.”