PLEASE don't let my girls' deaths be in vain.

That is the call from Walter Mikac, whose Alannah & Madeline Foundation has launched a petition calling for the banning of a killer shotgun and the maintenance of strict gun laws introduced in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre.

The foundation is named after Mr Mikac's daughters, Alannah and Madeline.

The little girls, their mother Nanette and 32 other innocent bystanders were slaughtered by gunman Martin Bryant in Tasmania in 1996. A further 23 people were injured during the April 28-29 killing spree.

The Keep Australia Safe From Gun Violence petition garnered more than 1000 signatures within hours of launching yesterday.

Mr Mikac said he wanted a rock-solid guarantee that rapid-fire shotgun the Adler A110 would be banned.

Gun control advocates oppose its importation because of its fast firing rate and seven-shot magazine.

The petition also calls for Australian governments to maintain tough gun legislation introduced almost 20 years ago by then PM John Howard.