(Brisbane) Australian gun lobbyist Ron Owen, known for his outspoken views, has been convicted of inciting hatred over a bumper sticker that read “Gay Rights? Under God’s law the only rights gays have is the right to die.”

In a 77-page ruling released this week, the tribunal noted that Owen had a free speech right to express his homophobic views, but that the bumper sticker went too far.

The car was not registered to him, but the tribunal found that he had control of it.

The tribunal found Owen guilty of inciting hatred and ordered him to pay the women $7,500 Australian (about $4,000 US) in damages.

“Ron Owen is entitled to be a homophobe and he is entitled to publicly express his homophobic views,” the ruling said. “That much is required in a society that values freedom of thought and expression. However, there are limits.”

The tribunal also rebuked Owen for comments he made in a television interview he gave after the complaint was filed, remarks made at a local council meeting, and in a letter posted on his Web site.

The ruling said that the bumper sticker went “beyond a mere joke.”

“The ordinary member of the public would … understand that he or she was being urged to hate and to have serious contempt for homosexuals,” the tribunal said in its ruling.

Owen is the publisher of the pro-militia magazine Lock Stock & Barrel. He also is the former president of the National Firearm Owners of Australia.