Richmond is supporting the Alannah & Madeline Foundation as it calls on the Australian and state and territory governments to maintain the gun legislation.
The Foundation has launched a petition to maintain the National Firearms Agreement 1996, which was introduced in the aftermath of the Port Arthur tragedy.
The Richmond Football Club has signed the petition and encourages its members, fans and the broader football community to do the same.
The Club named the Alannah & Madeline Foundation as its preferred charity partner in 2012 and continues to offer its support by raising awareness and funds, including a dedicated match day.
The Foundation was founded by Walter Mikac, whose daughters Alannah, Madeline and wife Nanette died with 32 others at Port Arthur.
Since the legislation’s enactment 20 years ago, there has not been one mass shooting - four or more victims - in Australia. In the decade prior to Port Arthur there were 11 mass shootings.
Two decades after Australia acted to stop more firearm deaths, certain individuals and groups are pushing for gun laws to be loosened.
Mr Mikac said it would risk putting children in danger again.
“A significant legacy and one of the only good things to come of the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, the day I lost my wife and children, was the establishment of the National Firearms Agreement 1996,” Mr Mikac said.
“The Alannah & Madeline Foundation opposes any changes to laws that could increase access to firearms and the affiliated increased risk of higher rates of homicides, suicide, or unintentional harms from the use of firearms.”
The petition can be signed at https://www.amf.org.au/gun-violence-petition/
