eBay, the giant Internet auction Web site, announced that in mid-August it will be updating its Firearms, Weapons and Knives Policy to place more restrictions on gun-related items. Through a message from Matt Halprin, eBay's vice president, trust and safety, the company said it will prohibit listings of any firearm part that is required for firing of a gun. "After learning that some items purchased on eBay may have been used in the tragedy at Virginia Tech in April 2007," the message stated, "We felt that revisiting our policies was not only necessary, but the right thing to do."

Police Minister Paul Holloway and Attorney-General Michael Atkinson today ruled out a total ban on the legal ownership of guns in South Australia.

Mr Holloway says the Rann Government has already increased the penalties for criminals who use weapons in the course of their crime and new firearms legislation that specifically targets illegal weapons will be introduced soon.

He says in spite of recent shootings there has not been a sudden increase in gun crime.

"The number of incidents this year is no higher than last year and to suggest otherwise is merely scaremongering. Of course we are concerned about any shooting, but police have made it clear they do not believe the weekend shooting was a random attack," Mr Holloway says.

Speaking on A.B.C. Radio this morning, Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras called for all gun ownership to be outlawed, including those owned by farmers, pastoralists and members of registered sporting gun clubs.

However, the Government has rejected the suggestion as a knee-jerk reaction.