Australian gun control: Where's the downside?

[pecksniff]

I've seen some posters recently cite Australia as a cautionary tale about the consequences of gun control, but I'm not clear on how or why. Post-gun-control, what has the government done that's scary, and that it would have been too frightened to do if the citizenry were armed?

 

[Fuzzy1975]

I've seen some posters recently cite Australia as a cautionary tale about the consequences of gun control, but I'm not clear on how or why. Post-gun-control, what has the government done that's scary, and that it would have been too frightened to do if the citizenry were armed?

Guns are not banned in Australia. So a certain percentage of the population is armed...

Americans in general just can't seem to understand you can be safe,secure, and not be oppressed, and not be armed.....


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_of_Australia

 

[coati]

Shortly before the pandemic began, I drove across the USA's northern border on a camping trip to the Canadian Rockies. It's illegal to carry guns into Canada across that border without special international permits.

So I went from American communities and campgrounds where you would experience insecure Deplorables with bumper stickers bragging about their armaments and so many shooting incidents that most do not make the news, to a nation where any shooting murder was making national news and where you don't see or hear about open or concealed carry by some paranoid fool in a campground or anywhere else.

It felt so relaxed to go to those big public hot-springs or to other attractions and know that the risk of a mass murder or domestic violence shooting was decreased significantly from the risk we experience every day south of that Canadian border.

In southern Arizona, I've seen shootouts at public parks and have seen guns pulled out during road rage incidents. Just a few days ago, idiots carrying guns on a train killed a DEA agent over a ridiculous marijuana bust. Guns are so pervasive that every traffic stop by police is a high-tension situation.

We have acclimated to this perverse situation. but when I crossed back over the USA border into Washington, I immediately felt the increase in risk and paranoia from what I had been experiencing in Canada for the prior two weeks.

 

[stickygirl]

Downside is less deplorables shoot themselves in the head

 

[pecksniff]

Downside is less deplorables shoot themselves in the head

Suicide is an aspect of widespread firearms ownership rarely discussed, but definitely part of the problem.

Or not, depending on your POV.

 

[Fuzzy1975]

Shortly before the pandemic began, I drove across the USA's northern border on a camping trip to the Canadian Rockies. It's illegal to carry guns into Canada across that border without special international permits.

So I went from American communities and campgrounds where you would experience insecure Deplorables with bumper stickers bragging about their armaments and so many shooting incidents that most do not make the news, to a nation where any shooting murder was making national news and where you not see or hear about open or concealed carry by some paranoid fool in a campground or anywhere else.

It felt so relaxed to go to those big public hot-springs or to other attractions and know that the risk of a mass murder or domestic violence shooting was decreased significantly from the risk we experience every day south of that Canadian border.

In southern Arizona, I've seen shootouts at public parks and have seen guns pulled out during road rage incidents. Just a few days ago, idiots carrying guns on a train killed a DEA agent over a ridiculous marijuana bust. Guns are so pervasive that every traffic stop by police is a high-tension situation.

We have acclimated to this perverse situation. but when I crossed back over the USA border into Washington, I immediately felt the increase in risk and paranoia from what I had been experiencing in Canada for the prior two weeks.

*chuckles* And you were in among the most rednecked gun supporting portion of our citizens while there too boot.

I have not been to any portion of the US since 2015, and will not be returning either ( even though I have siblings who live in the US), with the exception of Hawaii. I don't need to worry about being in a place where some dumb America needs to carry a gun to _______ ( fill in the blank with what ever NRA/Gun nuts local you desire).

The most dangerous animal you ever encounter is one that is scared, because you never know what it might do...and in the US that is a large portion of the citizens.....

 

[CornusKousa]

I've seen some posters recently cite Australia as a cautionary tale about the consequences of gun control, but I'm not clear on how or why. Post-gun-control, what has the government done that's scary, and that it would have been too frightened to do if the citizenry were armed?

You're a person who wants to be a well kept pet of the state, leashed all tight and told what to do.

I'm part of the ......
https://c.tenor.com/hMMvPAscU_sAAAAC/southpark-i-do-what-i-want.gif

Tribe..... west coast mountains branch.

Just like I will NEVER understand why you want to live in a city with the boot of the nanny state on your throat controlling every aspect of your life from cradle to grave..... I could tell you but you wouldn't ever understand.

 

[pecksniff]

You're a person who wants to be a well kept pet of the state, leashed all tight and told what to do.

I'm sure the Australians ain't that.

 

[CornusKousa]

I'm sure the Australians ain't that.

Unfortunately the Australian government is.

Thus the rioting and protest.

 

[pecksniff]

Unfortunately the Australian government is.

Thus the rioting and protest.

Tell us more about the rioting and protest.

 

[Philthy_Phil]

Guns are not banned in Australia. So a certain percentage of the population is armed...

Americans in general just can't seem to understand you can be safe,secure, and not be oppressed, and not be armed.....


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_of_Australia

Most americans really have no clue about other countries beyond certain talking points they heard 30 years ago. It's best to just point and laugh.

 

[Philthy_Phil]

Tell us more about the rioting and protest.

Lol...but you cant bring a gun to the grocery store there! Boot to the neck oppression!!!

 

[CornusKousa]

Tell us more about the rioting and protest.

Read the news yourself.

You want me to be your private journalist I need 1500/day +all expenses paid.

 

[pecksniff]

Read the news yourself.

You want me to be your private journalist I need 1500/day +all expenses paid.

You make the assertion, you bring the cite.

 

[YDB95]

For those of you who don't know, I'm an American living in Australia. I can assure you, in six years here I have never once felt less free than I felt back home. What I have felt, is safer. There was one mass shooting here, 25 years ago, and there's a reason why it's never happened again. And I could easily get a gun if I wanted to.

 

[CornusKousa]

For those of you who don't know, I'm an American living in Australia.

Stay there, you're far more Aussie than American.

 

[WillJ8787]

*chuckles* And you were in among the most rednecked gun supporting portion of our citizens while there too boot.

I have not been to any portion of the US since 2015, and will not be returning either ( even though I have siblings who live in the US), with the exception of Hawaii. I don't need to worry about being in a place where some dumb America needs to carry a gun to _______ ( fill in the blank with what ever NRA/Gun nuts local you desire).

The most dangerous animal you ever encounter is one that is scared, because you never know what it might do...and in the US that is a large portion of the citizens.....

Very true statement....look at all the scared as shit posters here who purport guns as an answer.

Very sad indeed!

 

[JohnnySavage]

Holding up Canada as a safe and peace loving country is funny. Canada has been hiding behind the shield provided by well trained and well armed Americans for 70 years.

 

[BidudeinWi]

I've seen some posters recently cite Australia as a cautionary tale about the consequences of gun control, but I'm not clear on how or why. Post-gun-control, what has the government done that's scary, and that it would have been too frightened to do if the citizenry were armed?

Because you’re clearly not paying attention to what the AU GOVERNMENT has been doing in terms of lockdowns, to its citizens! Can’t fix ignorance!

 

[colddiesel]

There are about 3.5 million guns in Australia, virtually none outside of police and security workers are handguns. About 1 for every 8 people

There are 300 million + guns in USA about one per person.

The cultural attitude to guns is totally different and the countries are not comparable.

Declaration of interest. I own 3 guns myself and am licensed. Use them for feral animal control mainly.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

It’s great to see so many newcomers to the shooting sports community. Guns have always been part of American life and always will be,

 

[ShyBiGuy954]

https://64.media.tumblr.com/124cd026f1d102590eea5c0a25aa4244/9dc305fb51dcad44-ca/s640x960/4180ede49522d9a558bf4220d88be47ecdf49e9c.jpg

 

[coati]

Holding up Canada as a safe and peace loving country is funny. Canada has been hiding behind the shield provided by well trained and well armed Americans for 70 years.

Yes, and Canada must be even safer now because there are so many more "well trained" Americans brandishing guns in any local incident that challenges whatever their definition freedumb might be.

Keep hiding behind the shield of these noble well trained Amerikkkans, you free-loading Canadian leeches!

 

[CornusKousa]

Yes, and Canada must be even safer now because there are so many more "well trained" Americans brandishing guns in any local incident that challenges whatever their definition freedumb might be.

Keep hiding behind the shield of these noble well trained Amerikkkans, you free-loading Canadian leeches!

Coati hates the USA so much.....

It must hurt his soul to wake up every day knowing he's surrounded by people free to live differently than he thinks they should be living.

 

[pecksniff]

Holding up Canada as a safe and peace loving country is funny. Canada has been hiding behind the shield provided by well trained and well armed Americans for 70 years.

Canada has never had any potential threat but the U.S.