Gun Controls
By Jim Fryar
The following are comments by Australia’s leading political luminaries after an incident in Melbourne, in which three people were shot, one fatally by a bikie criminal.
Mr. Howard said while gun laws were a state responsibility, he would be prepared to talk to the premiers about any further changes.
"As to handguns, we certainly do have very strict laws, but I'm always ready to talk to the state premiers who have control over these matters about whether they can and ought to be strengthened.
Federal Justice Minister David Johnston said the shooting reinforced the need for states to address the black market in guns.
"I know that it is very, very, difficult for a law abiding citizen to obtain a handgun," Senator Johnston said."If someone wants to purchase a concealable weapon on the black market they will probably be successful.'
Australian Democrats Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said gun laws had been on the backburner for too long.
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said there were as many as 20,000 illegal handguns in Australia, on top of up to 200,000 registered handguns.
Yet federal parliament had previously voted down amendments to ban semi-automatic handguns, except for police and other legitimate users, he said.
The National Coalition for Gun Control (NCGC) also called for a nationwide blanket ban on semi-automatic handguns.
If these imbeciles are incapable of understanding that: -
a. The weapon was obtained illegally,
b. Laws against this are already in place,
c. All criminal acts committed are covered by existing laws,
d. More prohibition laws will not change this,
e. Regardless of how many laws they pass, criminals will not obey them, then they are obviously incompetent and past their use by date.
I read about this earlier this morning. I can't believe that Howard can be so right about so many things but so wrong about this.
ReplyDeleteSpot on. Isn't it funny how the pollies always slip in a mention of gun laws when something like this tragic event occurs. Surely banning the baddies would be far more effective than banning their tools. Is it more disturbing to have a society that is naive, frightened and disrespectful towards guns that a society that respects them as a tool, a sporting implement, a part of a historical collection, an heirloom etc but NEVER a weapon, like I was taught?
ReplyDeleteI think with an election coming on, Howard is having two bob each way,- he isn't saying he wont do it but if he does then its the state Premiers responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI really miss having a politician like Joh Bejelke Peterson around. I disliked a hell of a lot of what he stood for - agrarian socialism, but the man had the courage to say where he stood, and stand up for what to his way of thinking was right.
I often found myself dislikeing him intensly, but I always respected him.