American Reacts to Australian Gun Control..

[@crazycarnolady2323]

the fact american kids have active shooter drills at school and australian kids have a puppet giraffe tell me not to do drugs in a dimly lit van says a lot.

[@EB240]

happy harold! he's a dull puppet in a dimly lit van!

[@unoriginalsyn]

I miss Harold 😪

[@harmony8623]

@@EB240 is it happy Harold now? Growing up it was always healthy Harold. Creeped me out a lot lol

[@leah-simonemua8775]

Lol! I loved Healthy Harold a kid, but I can see why some kids would find him creepy 😂 Is he still a thing?

[@bronwynschoer8039]

Oh I loved the visits from Harold.

[@vernonhampton6973]

I'm an (Louisianian) American who, this December 11th, will celebrate is first full year as a resident of Melbourne, Victoria. Considering I've been alive 48 years and lived through so many mass shootings (including the fear culminated by the D.C. sniper when I lived in Baltimore), Australia is such a breath of fresh air. My (Greek Australian) wife's children have lived their entire lives without ever having to deal with or hear about a mass shooting in Australia, whereas I am used to one mass shooting per 2 days (average). Australians don't seem to have the behavioural issues Americans have, and I am envious of them for the level of peace they have enjoyed that is lost in my country of origin. Speaking only for myself, the peace I have here in unheard of and I would rather live the most mundane yet peaceful life in Australia than deal with the stress of America's gun violence epidemic and the government's lack of a spine in dealing with it...

[@vanessagoddess1]

as a person who has lived in Melbourne all my life - welcome! I hope your life continues to be peaceful and mundane

[@cyclops92]

As a Greek Australian male I say your biggest threat is upsetting your wife

[@vernonhampton6973]

@@cyclops92 ...ain't THAT the damned truth! The last thing I need is Leonidas' grand-daughter trying to stab me with a spear! 🤣🤣🤣

[@cyclops92]

@@vernonhampton6973 I feel for you mate ,but if you treat her right I'm sure you know you won't find better Have a Merry Xmas mate and welcome to Australia

[@vernonhampton6973]

@@cyclops92 Thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you, too!

[@swjmbj]

I'm a 70 year old Australian who lived through these events. I'm one of the 30% of the population living in rural Australia. My family farmed and owned firearms for pest control and putting down injured farm animals. We supported the firearm legislation. I handed in my rifle and shotgun for destruction. My brother did not because we still needed a rifle for farm use. He had to prove it was for farm use, he had to apply for a firearm licence and the firearm had to be stored in an approved gun locker that can be checked at anytime by police. Unlike the USA, Australians have never had a constitutional right to bear arms. Likewise our culture is collectivist and not individualistic.

[@johnlarro6872]

Collectivist, and not individualistic... that's it in a nutshell. The greater good seems lost on a lot of Americans. Maybe that's unfair, as polls over the past 10 years show more and more Americans are in favour of gun reform... but there's still a lot who are selfish and cannot see the light.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

I am a 60 year old Australian who lived through it all and was a member of a full bore rifle club, Captain of a pistol club and a shooter. I supported it completely. Sold my guns and went on with life. I now own a handgun. It is less important than the crab I had for lunch.

[@theperson8539]

@@DavesIneosGrenadierTo be fair though, that crab sounds delicious.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

@@theperson8539 Mud crab, poached in white wine with garlic and ginger. It was fantastic

[@1414141x]

You make a good point. The rights of the individual outweigh the rights of the society as a whole. Hence, it is easy for people to get guns and rifles - as it is their 'right' . Irrelevant is what their intention is in owning such a weapon.

[@andrewolsen2319]

Man, I'm an American born Canadian who immigrated to Australia. As the gentleman from Lousiana stated below, it is such a joyous life here not having to worry about guns. It is JUST NOT A THING that we have to worry about, we don't pine about not getting guns. We just grab a beer and head to the beach. Easy. I love love love it.

[@DTreatz]

Here's a good look into how Australian gun control DIDN'T work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpWupJqJgrlpiMU&ab_channel=ColionNoir

[@Brozius2512]

@@DTreatz That is such a BS video, everything is taken out of context. This is a typical video which only uneducated gun loving republicans believe in.

[@MrOmgwtfhax]

From Australia, visited family in America recently. They could not understand how we could go out in public without a gun to protect ourselves. "From what?" we asked. "From everybody else!" they said. "But nobody else has a gun, so we don't need to carry a gun to protect ourselves from everybody else" we said. They thought about this for a bit. And then they asked "But, then how do you protect yourself?" and again we asked "But, from what?" ... You can see how the conversation stalled at this point, and no matter how we tried to explain it we could not get them past the idea that NOBODY carries a gun in public in Australia, except of course the Police!! It was a very strange conversation to have.

[@7thlittleleopard7]

I have an American friend who cannot fathom that I don't need to protect myself from 'others'. He cannot understand how I can leave only the fly-wire door locked at night and not worry about someone bursting in to shoot up the place. He doesn't understand the idea that I'm not afraid of someone with guns coming to shoot me at every hour, or that I don't need a gun to protect my property. It saddens me immensely that he holds such fears every day of his life. I mean, I've had my front door kicked in by drunks before, but I never feared they were going to shoot the place up. I've had loons drive up looking for my druggie brother (yay) but never worried that they're packing or going to kill anyone. I've been in scary situations but I don't feel the need to have more than a baseball bat or pipe at hand, at the worst. I don't need a gun - I'm never going to need a gun to protect myself because the sheer chance that someone is 'coming to get me' with a gun on hand is so low as to be inconceivable. And in the case that does ever happen, well, my luck's pretty shit so it's probably par for the course. XDDD Still don't need a gun.

[@davoocass]

apples to oranges

[@TonyGrant.]

One thing you could point out to them is that we have a social security system which, by supporting people in need, greatly reduces the necessity and frequency of crime committed due to sheer desperation.

[@annetessari1004]

@@TonyGrant. and corrupt pharmaceutical companies having such a terrible impact on American civilians (oxycontin e.g.) but I worry we could go down that road too if we are not careful

[@TonyGrant.]

@@annetessari1004 Their lack of a reasonable health system drives many to poverty and desperation.

[@Sids1192]

The big difference is that after Port Arthur, the Australians didn't give "thoughts and prayers", they didn't insist that such things shouldn't be politicised and just visit for a photo op. Instead, the local community rallied around the victims and looked after them in their immediate needs, while the politicians got to work to solve the problem.

[@kikh4691]

Australian and Canadians would not kick the bloody Brit’s rule. Did it stop all of Australia mass shootings, no still occurring.

[@johnnyasus86]

The only people I saw rallying where gun owners in cities and downs, heck John specifically made a speech to gun owners that rallied not others as hardly anyone but gun owners rallied.

[@Sids1192]

@@johnnyasus86 to "rally around" them meaning to provide emotional support. Not political rallying.

[@markhill3858]

well :) so many of us feel like vomiting when people bring up superstition during disaster :) its just bullshit and nobody wants to fuckin hear it :)

[@RenegadeRanga]

Which they organised.

[@le-chaldon4810]

Generally, most Aussies love our gun climate. I've never met a single aussie (progressive or conservative) that regrets this decision. Thank you John Howard.

[@beauvanderputt4236]

Just coz you dont think your ever going to need one, what about those of us that are up to date with current world events, dont want one fine, what about the rest of us that actually want ti defend our families?

[@robburdack4361]

@@beauvanderputt4236 and what exactly are you defending your familly from here in aus ? and you can easy own pistols here with a license ? hell i can walk 200 feet and find one

[@jaegrant6441]

@@beauvanderputt4236 Could it also be that the fear you speak of is also manufactured for the benefit of multinational corporations' profits? I'm up to date with world events.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

@@beauvanderputt4236 There are many martial arts that use a short stick as a weapon. It is not only easy to learn how to use one it is also good for your health and dexterity. You can safely leave them around the house without worrying about a child picking it up. and killing themselves or someone else. They are also great if you have had a few drinks before bed and wake up to a noise in the night. Accidently hitting a family member with a stick is a lot easier to apologise for than accidently shooting them in the chest 4 times.

[@th3cookie]

You're all so scared that if you don't have them, you'll never be able to protect yourselves. We don't have bears and shit here so we just don't need them if no one has them. I don't think this train of thought will ever register with you second amendment Americans. Guns are just too ingrained in your culture at this point. It's a shame. Lucky my country did away with them and didn't listen to the gun lobbyists

[@punk46664]

At school we had a guard with an automatic rifle. We moved to Australia BECAUSE of its gun control. It's hard to compare the peace of mind we live with here

[@butterflydiva72]

I'm so glad you find Australian a better and safer option than America. ❤

[@SM-xz9kb]

Good for you. I watched a documentary about a school gun drill in America and i cried my eyes out. Baricading doors etc... i would move too. Proud Aussie.

[@KJs581]

Glad it has worked out for you mate. I recently was talking to an ex sailor who was born here, but his Dad was American. I asked him how that came about, and he said the exact same thing. His Dad wanted to have kids, and Australia was safer as far as he was concerned. His choice, worked for him.

[@daleglenny8253]

We are Australian but moved to the US for 5 years in 2018. My daughter went to a public high school, and was involved in searches, walked through metal detectors each day and one day was stuck outside in the snow for an hour while student had to file in slowly as they had a threat and everyone was individually searched. While most shootings were in specific areas (that we wouldn’t ever venture into) there were also shootings close to both places we lived, some targeted and some random. We lived with the underlying fear of this in the back of our mind at all times, something I’m so relieved to be free of now we have returned to Australia. I was an adult during the time of Port Arthur massacre, and can support the Howard government enough for their swift and decisive action, in spite of resistance from within and without…America’s NRA sent stooges to influence our government, they still and them to try and influence to this day. The 2A has been shockingly misinterpreted by conservative judges on the Supreme Court. The preamble refers to “a well regulated militia”. How is what you have in the US well regulated???perdinslly, I think that the 2A has outlived its usefulness, is redundant and should be abolished. The. Constitution should evolve as society, knowledge and technology evolves.

[@dameonblackthorn9453]

Cheaper health care here would definatley help 😂

[@abeloth7188]

As an aussie I don't even think about being shot thanks to the gun laws it's literally never been a thought. My biggest concern when it comes to my own safety is making sure I stay out of rips don't get heat exhaustion drink water and use sun screen. I'm proud of the privileges I have.

[@trueaussie9230]

👍👍👍 Being safe in one's own home, workplace and school and on the streets is not a PRIVILEGE. In any civilised society it's a basic human RIGHT. Americans are constantly screaming about their rights being violated or threatened (most notably their 'right' to be able to be their neighbours' judge, jury and actual executioner) but apparently are completely unconcerned that their own children are denied their right to be safe.

[@bobhawke7373]

Maybe by a salt gun trespassing on old Ted's land

[@Eric-gw1uo]

you'd think it would work in the UK but nah. God woke up and chose violence

[@melissalayton213]

Heat exhaustion is no joke

[@NebraskaGonvilleJones]

The bloody best thing we ever did. Proud of us Aussies on this issue!!

[@russellhammond4373]

Totally agree.

[@themechanic9974]

100%

[@1969cmp]

The strictest state, Victoria, has the worst violence involving firearms in Australia.

[@themechanic9974]

@@1969cmp maybe that has something to do with idk also having one of the highest populations

[@syend6215]

@@themechanic9974 It has the strictest law, meaning the least guns, and yet has higher rates of gun crime? That's not a population issue.

[@beckyacoates]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but John Howard was the leader of our conservative party (Australia's equivalent of the Republican party in the USA) at the time, so this was an even more amazing thing for him to spearhead. I was too young to vote when the Port Arthur massacre happened, and since I've been able to vote, I've been more green/left wing in my political views, so I don't have a high opinion of our conservative party or a number of things the Howard government enacted during their time in power, but gun control is something that I'm incredibly proud of our government for introducing.

[@sueburn536]

Thank you for adding that - I was just about to do the same. Life-long left voter here and can't stand Howard for the most part, but his action on gun control has to be acknowledged.

[@tayloralliecee]

the greens dont get the support they deserve

[@sallymay24]

Same on all accounts …Howard was a terrible PM but banning the guns was the one right thing he did

[@briancampbell179]

It is also worth mentioning that Howard's party, the Liberals (sort of means the opposite here compared to the US) was and still is in a coalition with the National Party, formally called the Country Party that saw itself as representing the rural and regional people who were the primary gun owners. Inspite if this, then Nationals leader, Tim Fisher, was fully supporting John Howard in his efforts. I agree with others here. John Howard was a dreadful and toxic Prime Minister in many respects but I will give him kudos for this policy. He successfully stared down a very powerful and vocal gun lobby at the time.

[@briancampbell179]

@D G, strictly speaking, you are correct in that the states had to cede their control over gun laws to the federal government and deserve credit for that. Regardless of what one thinks of his other policies, Howard dies deserve credit for pulling it together. The lack of success in previous years only reinforces the importance of his success.

[@a.m11558]

I'm a 22 year old Aussie and very proud of the gun reforms, and also of John Howard for fighting so hard for it. I read another comment here where someone said the difference is that Aussies are collectivistic and Americans are individualistic, and I think that is exactly the case. In Australia we are more than willing to sacrifice our own individual wants and desires if it means we make our society safer and the future of our country better. In America I think this is not the case, many Americans seem to focus on themselves and their individual issues rather than other people in their society.

[@Leanaslife_]

Honestly I think quite the opposite, when I was in America I was blown away away by the way Americans look out for each other and care about America as a whole, I remember thinking Aussies are to selfish to be like that 😂 but hey, that was just my experience.

[@scaw1499]

@@Leanaslife_My parents always talk about how Americans are individualistic so maybe we all just think bad about about eachother. 😂

[@trashpanda8437]

@@Leanaslife_ Yes they care about AMERICA and AMERICANS, Aussies tend to care about everyone in Australia not just Aussies and not just Australia, I believe this is the difference.

[@aimeemapperson9361]

I was raised by a farmer and a farmer turned police officer. We were taught the importance of appropriate handling of a weapon and how to use them safely. I enjoy shooting as a hobby (guns and archery) but that also comes from years of education. Personally, I like our gun laws, they don't cut off the ability for a citizen to own a weapon, but it does enforce safety measures and the policies involved in purchasing one.

[@robertmurray8763]

I like your comment.

[@Playtechy]

I'm former LEO and I agree with guns should be enjoyed safely. I also think the citizenry should have a practical means to resist the compulsions of government beyond the ballot box (as we know, not all voting systems are equal). Chinese people were murdered by their government by the millions. Russians, too. It couldn't of happened if they retained their right to guns. Even in Australia; we have no rights. None. We only have permissions and that is why Australia isn't as amazing as we'd like to think it is. There is nothing we can do to prevent the government from arresting each and every one of us, without crime. There is nothing to stop them from attacking us for protesting against their policies. There is nothing to stop the government from passing regulations that prevent the media from reporting negatively against them. I was anti-COVID mandates and lockdowns and nothing has opened my eyes more than how we have literally no rights in Australia. People were arrested for going outside. For not wearing a mask (which the manufacturer states will not work for covid). For protesting against the restrictions. Even people who posted correct information that was against the government's covid policies or tried to organize a peaceful protest were arrested. We are at the mercy of politicians, who are protected by firearms 24/7, while we are totally unprotected. You and I both know, if a shooter starts firing - cops aren't going to stop it before they run out of ammunition or commit suicide.

[@Playtechy]

​@@Steven-yf2ef Then let good guys have the guns they need to protect themselves from the mentally ill. Look at the Kyle Rittenhouse case; clear as day self defense after he was set upon by mentally ill and deranged Antifa members. If he wasn't armed with a Semi-Automatic Rifle that day, he'd be dead like the dozens before him who got separated during the riots while being unarmed. The solution to gun violence is to solve the mentally ill, not restrict non-mentally ill people from getting guns. It's like sheep removing their teeth because they noticed wolves have teeth. The wolves still have teeth, but now the sheep don't. It only helps the criminal element. In Australia we have a minority-caused crime problem that is downplayed by the media. Sudanese and Maori gangs that use bats and clubs to rob you - I bet you, they'd do that a lot less and a lot less people would get hurt if they thought the innocent person might be armed.

[@lucydog3376]

Of course you like them... You're a cop. All you fucks do is try to rip licenses away from responsible gun owners and the firearms act is written in a way for it to be as easy as possible for you. I will assume you are familiar with the firearms act (although assuming a cop to be familiar with the laws is usually too much to ask apparently) so explain to me what in the firearms act stops criminals from getting guns? Apart from safe storage to make them harder to steal and criminal history checks... What is one law in the firearms act that has anything to do with criminals? Because to me it looks like a load of bullshit written to punish responsible citizens (by the way, those citizens are the ones that have literally proven themselves to be some of the most upstanding members of society, they literally wouldn't have a license otherwise... Yet they are treated like shit by the government, police and people in general)

[@Playtechy]

​@@lucydog3376 There's no need to devolve conversation (even an online one) into raving and rants. Although I agree with what you're discussing, I disagree vehemently with the way you've chosen to do it. You may realize that firearm restrictions serve the criminal element more than anyone - but not everyone is going to believe that and they don't have to. If we're going to discuss something, at least keep it productive. Otherwise there is simply no point to it.

[@keithtonkin6959]

New Zealand also. First mass shooting here in 2019 resulted in radical gun law change almost instantly. No-one complains about it now. There were strong controls before but clearly not strong enough and we were very shocked with what happened in Christchurch. What happens in the US too often really shocks us but continuous lack of action disgusts us.

[@blackhellebore89]

And NZers can still use guns for what they culturally have always used them for - hunting and sport.

[@MarthaAnthony]

I feel so ashamed that the maggot who did that was Australian. So sorry. Maybe it shows how much harder it was to get away with that sh*te here. I don't know. Still breaks most Aussies' hearts.

[@rachelbennett5438]

Australians can still use them too. You just have to fill out your paperwork and have a valid reason for owning it. Farming, hunting and strict sporting are all valid. There are strict procedures for storing them but to be honest that's just smart common sense to keep them stored with the firing pins removed and the ammo in a separate lock box. The gun themselves need to be kept in a lock box that's bolted to the floor. I dont think this is over the top, it's smart and common sense to most.

[@DTreatz]

Here's a good look into how Australian gun control DIDN'T work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpWupJqJgrlpiMU&ab_channel=ColionNoir

[@McZoltanOnline]

Live in Australia. I voted to remove Howard from office, but will always respect him for his response to Port Arthur. My 3 kids go to school every morning and I’ve never once had to worry about them not coming home. Last night I stepped in to break up a fight in Melbourne at 1am. I did so knowing that neither of them were likely to pull out a gun. The guns laws themselves are our self defence in this country. The best self defence of all.

[@waterpolowizard]

Same. I voted to remove him too. I was not a fan, however the gun laws are definitely a positive and make me proud to live in a country where we can move past bipartisanship

[@andrewg3238]

@@waterpolowizard I am not inclined to Howard's side of politics and did not agree with many of the policy directions the government of the day took. However when it came to the Port Arthur response I believe that the response to the tragedy is a legacy he could be proud of and should be afforded respect for.

[@elenawilliams32]

Same. I didn't like Howard but absolutely respect him for getting gun control laws changed. As a Kiwi who has lived in Melbourne from childhood I was so impressed when after the NZ mosque massacres, many of the Aussie lawmakers who changed the gun laws here went to NZ to help them quickly change their gun laws. Awesome efforts by awesome Aussies again.

[@jirup]

Howard proved that even a totally shit politician can do something that results in lasting good.

[@Goldopals]

I was only a kid when this happened and I still remember how scary this was. Whatever you think of Howard and his eyebrows, you have to respect what he did with regards to gun laws

[@bobmcdougall8981]

I was having a “discussion” with an American guy on Facebook recently who commented, in a nasty way, that he felt sorry for me for living in a country that “repressed my civil rights to carry weapons and thus leave myself at risk of government genocide any time they wished to take over the country as a dictatorship.” I was astounded at his complete ignorance of normal life in Australia. For those who don’t know, aussies live in the most relaxed, casual and pleasant environment you could imagine. We don’t need guns, we live a perfectly safe life without them.

[@johnlarro6872]

I love how gun-obsessed Americans seem to think that Australians have no liberties and are controlled by our government. :) It's hilarious... Very very sad, and hilarious. Sad because - imagine living that life - thinking you need to own a gun to be free. Yes, very sad for Americans who feel that way.

[@Alecia-Brown]

I laugh at this thought pattern by them, us Aussies wouldn’t put up with our government trying to do what the yanks think could happen. We don’t need guns to stop idiots, I remember the guys who stopped an idiot with milk crate.

[@dennisdearden2652]

Sadly, generally speaking Americans are really ignorant of the rest of the world. They truly believe the brain washing that American is the greatest country in the world and most probably don't know where Australia or which continent its on.

[@uraniumcranium2613]

Hate guns all you want but we Aussies owe our existence to the US and guns. Remember ww2 when we nearly became a Japanese colony? Guns and men saved us. I actually feel less safe with just criminals having guns now and all the increase in crime. Just today a paramedic was stabbed to death in NSW and a gun would have saved his life.

[@Alecia-Brown]

@@uraniumcranium2613 a gun would not have saved his life all that a gun would have done in that situation was the perpetrator getting shot. Was the gun going to act like body armour to stop the knife from penetrating the paramedics uniform?

[@terryglouftsis1231]

I'm an Aussie. I live in Adelaide. We aren't a big city, but we had issues with armed bank robberies when I was a kid. When Port Arthur happened it was shocking. And though I never liked John Howard, he was like a dog with a bone on this issue. His legacy is pushing through these changes because it worked. Today we don't have those robberies anymore. Gun crime still happens but it has dramatically fallen. Still there remain people who want the laws rolled back, but the sky didn't fall. Farmers with a real need still are allowed to have their weapons, just certain types are now banned. It's not rocket science. No one needs a semi automatic, those who say they do only want to have them. WANT is the optimal word. Want vs need, that's where Australia decided the needs of the many outweigh the want of the few.

[@robburdack4361]

yeah i agree but ill go as far to say that its the only good thing howard did im his career

[@DeneM]

@@robburdack4361 literally was going to type this word for word LOL - pretty much anything else he said or did (in my opinion) was a mess but his gun refirm was crazy quick and affectuve

[@slickstrings]

Believe it or not, with the correct license semi autos are not banned in australia. Pistols like glocks, 1911s and Berettas are not banned. Ive fired them. Even ar15s are not outright banned. You can get them here if you are a cat d license holder. Cat d is for contract shooters aka professional hunters and yes they NEED semi autos. The thing that keeps them more secure is the requirements around those licence categories, safe keeping and transport.

[@rodneycaridi1999]

You live in a delusional world if you think there are no semi automatic firearms in Adelaide. I live in Adelaide and legally own several ho power semi automatic pistols as well as high power rifles . Australia has never had the problems of mass shootings on a regular basis like the United States .

[@MrToranaGuy]

@@slickstrings That is how it should be, certain classes of firearms licenses for certain types of requirements. For the most part, our gun laws are good. They make it hard for people that either don't need a certain type of gun to legally own that type of gun, and for people not so mentally sound, to not be able to purchase legal firearms at all. There will always be the black market and illegal guns, but they are out of reach to most people, as they should be. If you have a need for a gun, and can pass the background checks, weapon handling checks ect, to own that type of gun, you can get licensed to own it and buy it. Otherwise you can go to a gun club and do some shooting there at the club range with their weapons, as long as you don't have a criminal record that prohibits you even handling those guns at the range. I just cannot understand why American's can not accept just a little gun reform to make the place safer from mass shootings? You do not need to take away their 2nd amendment right, just make a new amendment to require people to be screened to make sure they are mentally sound, regularly, and can handle the weapon they want safely, store it safely ect, then give them a license to own it and allow them to buy and keep it. Why can't it be a patriotic duty to be certified safe & mentally sound to own that gun?

[@d1pstick32]

As a gun owner in Australia I think the system works great. I have never been in a situation where I have felt the need to carry a gun in public, and the laws grant me enough freedom to own guns that are as useful as I need.

[@shxtgigs4662]

Mate I still get to hunt pigs out west and shoot, and my best mate a pest exterminator still uses a semi .. it work’s brilliant but Americans will still argue what if

[@d1pstick32]

@@shxtgigs4662 for sure and your mate is a professional. Any amateur shooter who needs more than one shot to kill a rabbit or a fox probably shouldn't even be allowed to have a bolty rifle.

[@huggledemon32]

Exactly!- I live in suburban Australia, and I can COMPLETELY see why SOME people need legal, safe access to guns, and clearly, that’s still do-able, so why on earth should the average suburban Aussie have or need a gun/guns!?🤷‍♀️👍🏻

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@d1pstick32 do you NEED alcohol for your life? You dont need a private car! (If they fixed the transport) So these should be banned! Just because you dont mind them taking your rights due to false claims and distorted views doesnt mean others shouldnt!

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@huggledemon32 "so why on earth should the average suburban Aussie have or need a gun/guns!?" Sport.hunting WHICH IS WHY PEOPLE HAVE THEM! so it that ok with you?

[@katymcdonald5481]

I’m Australian and I think our gun laws make us safer. One thing that is often overlooked is the dramatic drop in the suicide rate after gun reform. Australia still has a suicide rate that is too high but I’m glad we don’t have easy access to guns or it would be even higher, I’m sure many people had failed attempts and got the help they needed because a gun wasn’t an option.

[@helledee6584]

I’m Australian and lived through all this. The Port Arthur massacre was so shocking and confronting. We all expected the government to make big changes and they did. It was highly supported. The gun buyback allowed so many to clean out their old guns too. I love living in a gun free society. It’s freeing.

[@wizofoz0605]

There was ONE good thing to come out of the otherwise wasted Howard years. This was it.

[@Anon54387]

The Port Arthur attacker was well know to be so unbalanced as to be a threat yet he wasn't put in a psychiatric hospital until after he murdered 35 people in cold blood. That was a failure of government, and as sleight of hand to distract from that failure 700k Aussies who not only hadn't harmed anyone but had no desire to harm anyone had their guns confiscated. And so it goes in the USA. Just for three examples the Highland Park, Illinois and Parkland, Florida and Uvalde, Texas attackers all had behaviors that, in times past, would've earned them a permanent stay in a psychiatric hospital. And when we did that we didn't have mass shootings.

[@DanDownunda8888]

Many years ago I went hunting for rabbits, foxes and ducks and I was a very good shot. In my job I had a pistol and went to practice every year and consistently scored bulls-eyes . I used a shotgun for the rabbits and a semi-automatic Ruger rifle for the foxes and ducks. (It was too easy to get ducks with a shotgun). I hadn't been hunting for a few years when Port Arthur happened and I was sick to my stomach. When the buy-back was announced I rang up the local Police and said I just wanted to bring my weapons down and hand them over, didn't care about the buy-back. A few months later my house was robbed and the unlocked cupboard when I'd kept my guns was gone through.

[@thunder6742]

@@Anon54387 If the point you're trying to make is, "it's not about the guns, it's about mental health" - why do the number of gun deaths and mass shootings (0) drop after gun laws are passed in Australia, while the number of guns increase in America, we see the number of gun related deaths AND mass shootings go up? Is it really THAT crazy to imagine that the more guns you have in a society, the more gun related deaths and mass shootings there are?!? We have statistically proof right here.

[@dameonblackthorn9453]

I mean to be fair were not really gun free but were so much better off than Americans

[@velvetleaves6442]

Im not a fan of John Howard, for many reasons. But what he and his Gov did with gun control is a point of our history that I am very proud of. 🇦🇺 Everytime we hear of a shooting in the US, its a reminder of what we could have become but chose not to.

[@archiesshowtell8094]

I was growing up in Tasmania when this happened & I was a teen. These days I’m a very left leaning person but when everything happened back then Howard was our PM and I was so amazed what he did in reaction to Port Arthur. I live in Melbourne now & still left.

[@john8443]

Howard is a Zionist shill. Having no defence during COVID went real well for the public

[@velvetleaves6442]

@@john8443 Howard hasnt been in office since 2007. Not sure what he had to do with how we managed Covid.

[@john8443]

@@velvetleaves6442 My point is when people were getting sprayed with rubber bullets and capsicum sprayed at the States will, what defence is the for the public. I realise John Howard wasn't managing "COVID", but he took our defences away.

[@btchplz5352]

Howard also bought in the gst, which kind of saved us

[@gabriellemurphy1182]

Because of the gun control laws in Australia, I went my entire childhood AND teenage years without ever having SEEN a gun. Not once in my entire childhood did the thought ever even occur to me that a gun could be something that would ever hurt me - because literally no one has them. I am 22 and it genuinely wasn't even until the gun control debate in America created international media that I even REALISED I am so lucky to be in Australia, because it wasn't even a thought in my brain for my entire life that guns would be around. I don't know how else to explain it other than IT LITERALLY WASNT EVEN A THOUGHT. Aside from the fact that no one has them, they're also incredibly frowned upon - so if someone is talking about liking guns, they are societally looked down upon in a way - meaning that no one even WANTS a gun. Life here is good!

[@jessicacollins4042]

Why do you act like nobody has a gun license in Australia? 😂

[@jadefenner4971]

@@jessicacollins4042 because if you don’t go to rural areas, you are unlikely to meet anyone with an active license, or any actual guns. It’s pretty easy to be a person in Australia who lives in the city or suburbia, and to have never met anyone who owns a gun. As soon as you go away from the city it’s a bit different, but even then you pretty much don’t see guns unless you are actively on farmland with someone who is out shooting pests. The stigma against people who own guns doesn’t exist nearly as much in rural areas however.

[@jessicacollins4042]

@@jadefenner4971 oh ok ive met a lot of sport shooters that live in suburban areas but yeah its not as common in rural areas

[@GrimRize]

@@jadefenner4971 That's right, i'm 36 and still never seen a gun. I know one person who is licensed and he is a collector from the blue mountains, just buys them and puts them in glass pretty much.

[@Marth667]

Going to sound ridiculous but once as you do you get pulled over for an RBT. I get off my bike, helmet off and do the breath test. As I'm waiting back for the reading I notice a holster and pistol in it. Legit, first time seeing a gun and thought, oh. That's right. Police have guns. Until that moment I only ever heard of shootings in Australia because of dropkick crime families. Mass shootings here never fucking happen thank fuck.

[@lindabailey1600]

As I write this, I'm watching a press conference by the head of Queensland Police where two police officers and a civilian were killed in a shooting incident last night. Two more police were wounded. The shock and pain felt by our whole country should tell you how rare these events are for us. This is the legacy of our gun control.....a community in which gun violence is the outlier, not the norm. And this is true whether you are an urban or rural Australian

[@shannonjaensch3705]

I watched the video interview of the female partner and adult step daughter of the gunned down neighbour that was filmed only two days after they lost their beloved "poppy and how they did not shed a single wet tear drop between them is beyond me??? I would be a blubbering mess if I had just lost a loved one to such a horrific brutal murder such as this and there is no way I would be able to hold back the tears like those two extremely strong women did. Not a single wet tear drop on either of their faces or dry shirts. There's no way I would be able to do an interview within a year after let alone only a mere two days later and there's no way I would be smiling or joking like those two did but I guess I am just not as emotionaly strong as they are. My Love and sympathy to those affected by this well documented horrific event

[@SomeNewChannel711]

Just imagine how much worse it would have been if we didnt have a firearm legislation

[@bumpkenboi2250]

I love 20 mins away from where the shooting happened and my friend who I go to the pub with regularly was there. He didn’t get injured thankfully but it was a harrowing experience for him.

[@warrenmilford6848]

Shannon J -- You do realize that they would have been paid for this and any other interviews they did, as well as any still or video photo shoots. There'll be a big 30 paged spread in the Womens Weekly sometime soon, with them looking sad holding a photo of their loved one on the cover, especially when it goes to the coroner's court. This could go on for years with them playing the poor grieving family but getting paid heaps as it transpires. Parasites!

[@shannonjaensch3705]

@@warrenmilford6848 Well said and sadly very true.

[@johnboyd6943]

As I watch this video I've just heard that a 6 year old boy shot his teacher in the USA. I'm lost for words! There is no argument in the world that can support gun freedom. Absolute insanity.

[@underballbutter]

Gun bans in UK, Canada, and Australia didn't reduce violent crimes, homicides, or mass killings. Violent crimes increased as less Australians are able to defend themselves.

[@underballbutter]

Despite strict gun laws, there are 12 European countries with more mass shootings per capita than the US.

[@davidlloyd7597]

​@@underballbutteras an Australian, I can say you are unequivocally wrong. I've heard this nonsense from American lips before. Why don't you look at actual figures before spouting this claptrap? Not gun nut propaganda.

[@jaspermarchesi6311]

Going out in Australia, it never even occurs to me that other people may be armed. Any shooting, accidental or deliberate, makes national news, and is a relatively rare event. Most of the police I have talked to, although they carry a gun, say that they have never drawn their weapon, let alone fired a shot, outside the training range. Very happy to live in Australia without the fear of guns.

[@nevyn_karres]

Hehe a friend who was a cop told me her story of chasing a shop lifter, at some point she was getting tired and shouted "stop or I will shoot" the kid froze and when approached wide eyed asked "would you really?" she said "of course not but I was tired of chasing you."

[@Playtechy]

America was the same in the 1950's. The problem isn't the amount of guns or how hard they are to get, the problem is mental health. Since the CIA's creation, gun crime skyrocketted. Almost all mass shooters are known by either CIA or FBI (usually both). I can assure you, abolish the CIA and FBI and gun crime will half in a year in America. In a decade it will become incredibly rare.

[@robertmurray8763]

One Senior Police officer said.His pistol Was his very late weapon to use and had never used his other than firearms ranges.

[@davidlee-michaels9430]

It's not a rare event, tf? A firearm related offence occurs at least once a week in every state.

[@robertmurray8763]

@@davidlee-michaels9430 That's rare to American standard. When I was there (U.S.) number five item on the TV News perhaps 30 seconds for a mass shooting.

[@Paula_jadeee]

Never voted for John or his party and unlikely to, but there is no argument from me that this is true leadership.

[@annetessari1004]

agreed. Best thing John Howard did. And maybe only he could have managed to pull it off. Took enormous courage And set the country up for decades. So very pleased he did

[@davidharvey4433]

@@annetessari1004 John Howard reflects on these gun control laws as his greatest achievement.

[@miniveedub]

@@davidharvey4433 in the opinion of many it was the only worthwhile thing he ever did in all his years in parliament.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

The rest of what he did was for only Major donors to his party , fuck all to do with the public

[@iggyblitz8739]

@@miniveedub I disagree with that, he and Costello wiped away the national debt and actually got the budget into surplus !, the economy was strong with plenty of opportunity, strengthened the borders, good handling of the East Timor crisis and re-formed the tax system.

[@judyd9045]

The fact remains; we get to walk ANYWHERE, run, shop, move through a town without fearing a bullet. That's what life in Australia is about.

[@Harry-yx2on]

more afraif of a knife lol

[@Benwut]

hell, you can even walk in the 'dangerous' parts of town, at midnight, while drunk, without having to worry about getting shot. Sure, you might need to worry about getting beaten up, but shot? No.

[@Benwut]

@@Harry-yx2on yup, which is why from 2011 till 2018 (ages 11 until 18) my dad sent me off to learn MMA, which interestingly teaches you to defend yourself _without_ killing someone or putting them in ICU. Something I don't think redneck Americans realise is a possibility.

[@Thivesh_]

U can experience the same life in Malaysia and other South East Asia countries .

[@dko-JackSkalington]

@@Harry-yx2on Not once in my life have I had that as even a thought while in public. I've lived in poverty low run areas and walked across a bridge at 2am, I got mugged. But they didn't even have a knife, just a few bigger blokes demanding my bottle of milk. I was like "fuck it, I ain't fighting over some milk". But I never feared for my life.

[@andrewhumes3402]

As an Aussie who grew up with the old system, and was given an antique 7.92mm Mauser rifle as my 16th birthday present, then bought a 7.62mm, I saw the gun buy-back happen after the Port Arthur massacre. I grumbled but I realised that a hobby isn't worth people dying for. I was a responsible owner, but what if I had a really bad day? I was being bullied at school when 16, but the idea of taking the gun to school never crossed my mind, despite being in fear. Shooting a person? In a healthy society, the question doesn't enter your mind. So in the USA, you should perhaps improve social security and education, and people won't feel afraid. 2nd amendment is as outdated as laws about how to treat slaves. 200 yrs ago it was relevant. Why should the biggest military power in the world need a militia?

[@MarthaAnthony]

And militia is the word. People seem to overlook the '"well regulated Militia"" part in the 2nd amendment and think any individual should be able to have a gun themselves because they want one.

[@richardokeefe7597]

@@MarthaAnthony there have been court cases in the US about the wording of the 2nd amendment. The result is that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” is now interpreted as “The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Hence anybody has the right to own a firearm, although I would question why someone might need a belt fed machine gun or a room full of guns. Here in Western Australia you need to be a member of a gun club, a professional shooter, a farmer, or have permission from a farmer to shoot on their property to own a gun. Hence there has a been a steady trade in some farmers selling permission letters to people they have never met and who have never come anywhere near their properties. So there are options if you want to own a gun but there are still restrictions on what is available to buy.

[@MarthaAnthony]

@@richardokeefe7597 So is that the official reading of the 2nd, or just the colloquial and convenient one? I had no idea permissions were so transferable. That's a flaw in the system.

[@MorrisonLee-wt2jp]

That's a really good slogan for the US mate; 'A hobby isn't worth dying for." Aussie.

[@mank89]

The militia was meant to defend from threats both foreign and domestic. The idea was specifically to defend their homelands from outside armies, and ALSO their own government. Government turning against the people is not outdated, it's happening literally everywhere. Without a well armed militia, it will be insanely difficult to revolt against an evil government. The USA's turmoil is almost entirely a result of it's own government's decision making, so every attempt at disarming the population is guaranteed to also disarm any opposition to their regime.

[@nattles4397]

As a 23 year old Australian, I’ve only ever grown up in a relatively gun-free world. When I compare my experiences with that of my American friends, I’m often shocked at how nonchalantly they speak about gun violence and mass shootings.. particularly when it comes to the active shooter drills they had to participate in at school. Whenever there’s a loud bang or someone looks to be holding something beneath a coat or in their bag, their immediate thought is that it’s a gun. Their responses are almost on par with those of war veterans suffering from PTSD. In comparison to Australia, the USA seems dangerous. I’m extremely thankful for the strict gun laws here in my country. I don’t have to worry about being killed any time I leave my home. It’s as safe for me to walk through crowded areas as it is to walk through grassy fields. Even if I were to trespass on someone’s property, I would never be shot at (perhaps scolded or told to bugger off but never killed or hurt). I believe that the only people who should be in possession of a firearm are police, military and farmers. All of which should be adequately trained and extensively background checked (including a mental health check). Every time I look at international news, it seems as though America has had another mass shooting. I see grieving loved ones and horrific videos of gunfire and panicked screams. Tips for parents sending their kids to school with bulletproof backpacks and little first aid kits. Teachers being expected to lay down their lives to barricade doors and told to not let crying, scared children into their classrooms in an active shooter event. Guns should not be held or purchased by normal civilians. Certainly not by teenagers at Walmart.

[@JDS_]

Personally in primary school we still had a emergency drill for if there was someone attacking the school, + one for earthquakes & fire. and I'm an 02 baby. So this would have been a decade after the change. I don't remember ever doing one in high school. we didn't even do earthquake drills in high school only fire.

[@Playtechy]

Gun violence was practically non-existent in America pre 1960's. In fact, school kids used to bring their own guns from home to school to learn how to use them - and zero school shootings. The problem isn't the guns and never was. It's mental health. In the early 1900's in America, most houses weren't even built with door locks. Can you imagine that today? Before the FBI and the CIA, gun crime was practically non-existent and if there were any, a 'good guy with a gun' generally solved it before police got there. Restricting good well intentioned people from having guns and doing nothing about the bad people with guns is the problem, it's why there is so much gun crime and why they're focused on the most restrictive states in America. If I were the CIA, and I wanted more control and power over the people (which they do), I'd take away the guns from the people. To do it, I'd convince them to give them up by promoting gun violence (which they do). Every mass shooter that is non-gang related was known to the FBI and/or CIA before they acted. In fact, a recent one the FBI agents followed the shooter to the place of the shooting and DROVE OFF when he started shooting and lied about being there. In Australia; we can't even protest without the expressed permission from the government. If we protest and the government doesn't want us to protest - the cop's guns get pointed at us. We have no freedom or rights, we have permissions - which can be revoked at any time. Give me dangerous freedom over slavery and a life without rights.

[@nevyn_karres]

@@Playtechy Sorry but your bullshiat thing about "mental health" is bullshiat. If I wanted to go on a murder spree right now, I would be using kitchen knives. But in the US, even if I was not allowed to own guns, I can just go next door and borrow or steal one from my neighbour. It is the availability that is the problem. On a personal mental health note, if I had a gun in my house, I would be dead by now. Suffering from chronic depression I often play with a very life like plastic gun, sure I usually use it to aim at the tv when people like tRump spew bullshiat, but it also spends a lot of time at my temple or in my mouth. If it was a real gun, with only a finger compression needed, I would be dead.

[@Ishlacorrin]

@@Playtechy You have a simple solution then, move to the US. You are wrong about most of your Australian information, but if your feel that way then nothing anyone can prove to you will change your mind. I'll just point out that protests the government does not want, happen all the time without issue and that almost all police never draw their weapon for any reason.

[@marcgaskett]

@@Playtechy non existent ey? They didn’t call it the Wild West for nothing

[@livingarrows]

Aussie here. What I really appreciate as a parent of primary school kids, is that schools are safe places. The kids focus on learning and playing, and have no idea what an active shooter drill is, because they don't need to know (as it should be). The schools aren't fitted with metal detectors, and the gates are open at drop off and pick up time, and people go in and out and it's always felt incredibly safe. I don't have any fear when sending my kids to school that they might be victims of a mass shooting.

[@DTreatz]

Here's a good look into how Australian gun control DIDN'T work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpWupJqJgrlpiMU&ab_channel=ColionNoir

[@Cheekychick1989]

Perfectly said..

[@sopwithpuppy]

From Australia. Gun control is a NECESSITY in ALL countries and ALL cultures. You said "WOW!" when they reported that "Self defense was not a genuine reason for owning a gun", but it's proven to be true. Sadly for your country (America), there will NEVER be any kind of gun control. There is ONE REASON ONLY. Americans love their guns more than their children. You MUST CHANGE! I love the video you reacted to, it was well put together, well thought out, well presented.

[@jayehum5019]

I lived in Canda for 10 years and regularly took trips to the US. One long weekend, my partner, a group of friends and I were in Port Townsend, Washington, and came across a 'yard sale' like none I'd ever seen before. A man had 4 or 5 trestle tables set up with rows of firearms - handguns, rifles and shotguns, among others, along with a glass case holding the more valuable collectibles and antiques. We asked him why he was selling them and his response was that he was going to a firearms convention in Denver and needed to make 'a bit of room' for the guns he would be purchasing there. Terrifying. So happy to live in Australia. I agree with many others here and say that it was one of the few good things John Howard did.

[@1911GreaterThanALL]

Did this man kill you? Or attack you? Or threaten to attack you in any way?

[@CQuinnLady]

As an Aussie from a violent household, I was sooo happy this came in. My ex brother wanted a gun in the house and I was scared. My father put his foot down thank jebus. But i did worry, he had a temper he refused to control, I ended up in hospital a cpl times at his hands. Guns have NO place in suburban life. I am good without them even tho Im army trained, I will NEVER have them.

[@davidpalmer4184]

A bit of perspective first, I was ex-Infantry when this happened (Yes I am old, and my first love was my 7.62 SLR) I was angry when gun control was introduced. But in hindsight IT WORKED! plus Australia voted John Howard in when we had the next election. (Democracy at work) Farmers were allowed to keep their, no assault, guns and I didn't top myself because of PTSD. Win, win.

[@shooterdownunder]

There’s actually no evidence that the gun laws actually worked. The only thing that they achieved was infringement upon the rights of the law abiding citizens. Anyone who tells you that they work are either ignorant or lying.

[@shxtgigs4662]

Hey mate I’m a younger Aussie ( mid 20s) and honestly growing up in rougher western Sydney if it wasn’t for you generation voting out guns it would be a war zone or worse an America school.. growing up seeing knifes it’s alot easier to talk someone down from a stabbing then if they had a firearm

[@grandmothergoose]

@@shxtgigs4662 That's because guns are so very different from knives. Anyone that can run away or get something between them and the knife can avoid getting stabbed, but no one can outrun a bullet and you need something bulletproof to block with. Knives don't create the massive amounts of hydrostatic shock that ruptures internal cells and organs that bullets do, and they also don't shatter into little pieces that fly through the body and end up in surprising places, so a knife wound is easier to survive and recover from as well. Lastly, it's one thing to stand at a distance and squeeze a trigger, it's cold, it's impersonal, and it's physically easy to do, and there's very little physical risk to oneself involved. It's a whole different thing both physically and psychologically to be up close to someone, close enough to feel them breathe, see the expression in their eyes, and physically push a knife into their body... especially as being that close puts the knife wielder at risk of being attacked in retaliation/defence. To stab someone with a knife, you really have to want them dead, to shoot someone at range is easier to not think too much about. Even though it's a lot easier to do and not get caught, it's also illegal to wander the streets carrying a knife... and pepper spray... and tasers. Americans really can't comprehend the idea that it's not okay to defend yourself by going overboard and using excessive force. So much for land of the brave huh.

[@1911GreaterThanALL]

assault guns is an incompetent way to define a firearm.

[@weaverjoshuab]

What’s an ‘assault’ rifle

[@MrBrettley]

I'm Australian (live in Melbourne) and I'm 52 years old. The only time I've EVER seen a gun in real life is on a cop or a security officer. Unless you're a farmer or in law enforcement they simply don't exist here and I love it. I very rarely feel unsafe.

[@ant5389]

yea, only time ive ever seen real guns was cops and things like military open days (my dad was in the army so i went to them a lot)

[@cheryltravis8616]

Oh Mate , I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't seen a REAL GUN apart from what the Cop's Carry , even then 🤭 I Won't even look down at it 😂 They scare me to the brink of PASSING OUT 🙄😬😂

[@PhillipLWilcher]

Likewise. I have never seen a gun in real life other than on law enforcement officers, neither could I ever imagine holding one.

[@jaclo3112]

Well, that's not true. There are more guns in the hands of civilians in Australia than there were for the 3 years after Howard's the gun buy back. I live in Melbourne and see guns every day. In fact I was with over 100 gun owners yesterday Almost all of them live in the suburbs. Today I will be visiting a gun range in Carrum Downs. Then later this week in Springvale. Plenty of gun owners who are not farmers or cops in Australia. They just don't talk about it as it's not our culture to brag about guns as it is unwise and announces to prospective thieves that you have guns.

[@scraverX]

Similar age here, but my experience is a little different. I have seen guns other than on Police and Security officers. I do, however have a Cousin who is a member of a rifle club - and I have visited his club. I've even been at the shooting line as a supervised Guest.

[@ytuckerman]

This amongst many other things makes me proud and happy to be Australian.

[@jonlewis685]

65 yo retired in Adelaide South Australia, You are the most sensible switched on American youth i have encountered. Keep up the good work mate

[@arw3532]

Rural Aussie here. My family was split. I was for the gun control. I could still own one if I needed for pest control. Didn’t really need. My mother took the change personally. For some reason she considered the law change as criticism SHE was a psychotic criminal. Ironically insane in my opinion. My brother in law, a sporting shooter, still whinges about his storage and inspection obligations to this day. Yet he can still own and use his guns merely for fun. The laws work. They seem reasonably balanced. Job well done.

[@julesmasseffectmusic]

Aussies have the right to bitch about our laws as much as they want. Most have the brains to know why they are there.

[@briansullivan7212]

I grew up (in rural Australia) with guns all around me and owned my 1st of many firearms at a very early age. I was an avid hunter, sporting pistol and rifle shooter as well and, later on got into clay target shooting. When I had to hand my guns in, I was horrified and angry but soon got over it. I later saw military service and carried a firearm for many years as a LEO and, while qualified, never felt the need to own another firearm... now, at almost 60 years of I age I truly believe that this was the best thing the Govt ever undertook and wish that other countries could learn from it.

[@rictechow231]

Brian, I am pretty sure as a young country lad you were taught to handle firearms safely. I don't see that city kids would or even could be trained in firearm handling as we were. Thats the problem. Instead of 5 yo it became 18 yo when you could have a gun at the same time it became legal to get drunk and drive like maniac. It wasn't a problem for us to have guns at an early age because there wasn't a problem with us having guns.

[@gloryglory5688]

@@rictechow231 quit the shit about “city kids” there’s plenty of outlying regions of Sydney for example where kids went shooting, whether it be with air rifles or guns, lots of “city kids” were just as adept, they had to be, especially in times of struggle, rabbits etc were a staple meal

[@laughable9772]

It was a lazy fix to a mental health problem and a quick way to gain more favour in the next election.

[@_wallnutz_]

Needles are better weapons than guns. AusGov Corp is your friend.

[@christopherlbooth2332]

@@rictechow231 in australia you can get a gun permit from 13. I went hunting and target shooting my entire life and have a gun licence to this day. It what i did and I agree with the laws entirely. Even on a farm there is no need for automatic weapons that are designed just for killing people.

[@jaysgamesroom4853]

Aussie born in 92 here, really proud of the nfa. I hope one day we the world will look back on this and ask the question how anything else could be acceptable.

[@Lea-bw9wj]

I'm Australian and it always shocks me every time I see images of a mass shooting on tv especially if it's a school. I'm so grateful that the only fear I had at school was which bully was going to say something to me that day. I'm horrified teachers are having to work out plans to keep kids alive and parents are buying backpacks that are bullet proof

[@gitakahn4993]

I'm a nurse, and I can add that post buy back we stopped having many young males in ICU with self inflicted gun shot wounds we did have some gun shots but they became rare accidents. Beside the agressive gun shots like the mass shooting the restriction on guns in the community has saved multiples of lives

[@johnlarro6872]

Absolutely! Suicide by gunshot reduced massively since our gun reforms. Now it's typically farmers who do this, because they are most likely to have a gun.

[@andrewmccosker3877]

I am a licenced gun owner in Australia. I had to hand in a .22 and my grandads Browning A5. Hurt a bit .If I thought I needed a gun for home defence I would change country I lived or fix the society I lived in .

[@Killswitch1411]

You cant just fix a society. The left preach love and acceptance while causing mass riots and violence within their cause. People were told police will not be able to help those in need when those events happen.. All you have is your own self defense.

[@davidlee-michaels9430]

You could have simply kept your gun and not been a simp for Con Howard.

[@tazgecko]

@@davidlee-michaels9430 You are the reason why we wanted the guns laws in the first place ...

[@sypher0101]

@@tazgecko I thought you wanted them cause "guns are bad" ? Now you're blaming a random guy on the internet ?

[@ozema87]

@@davidlee-michaels9430 lol, so there are still some salty old fucks around.....

[@Puppydoug]

John Howard was an appalling Prime Minister. But his gun buyback was one of the few worthwhile things his government achieved.

[@victoriousvalentine9779]

I’m Australian, worked in the Court system at the time that the restrictions were introduced and have seen the worst of people. I surrendered my shotgun because I believed so strongly that it had to happen. Did every person surrender? Of course not, but most did and the overall culture was permanently changed. The most significant reason for the restrictions occurring was because the Prime Minister at the time ( who’s party I do not usually support) put the greater good before his election chances. It was commendable and as an outsider I get the feeling that no party in the US would have the courage to do this

[@SuburbanWombat]

yeah i remember at the time there was talk that he wouldn't get re elected that it would effect his and his party's support

[@berrodude]

I'm A gun owner in Aus, and these laws came in when I was only a toddler, So I have no perspective of comparison, But the genuine reasons for firearms ownership include Target shooting, Hunting and other recreational purposes. This means you need to demonstrate that you are a member of a club relative to the reason (clay target club for example). It took me 3 months to get a license, and another month to get my first rifle, a .223 bolt action with 6 round magazine. I found the whole process very simple but thorough and to me, I would much rather go through that little bit of red tape in exchange for the near guarantee that I will not be gunned down in the street by some rando with a complex and an AR. I am not ignorant, however, to the fact that Aus and the US have drastically different histories and cultures. Problem is, Aussie or American, the result is the same when hit by a bullet...

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

"... genuine reasons"? LOL You don't have a clue.

[@berrodude]

@@JohnWarner-lu8rq well I can actually afford to have a gun license, so I think I'll rely on my knowledge. Yours is obviously lacking

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

@@berrodude I've had mine for 55 years. Get back to me when you catch up (if you do).

[@berrodude]

@@JohnWarner-lu8rq then explain to me what it is about "Genuine reasons" that you don't understand, as you would have to provide this to acquire and retain a firearms license..

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

@@berrodude First, an AR is nothing more than a semi-automatic rifle, like a Ruger 10-22. your "genuine reasons" are okay but, you see, our right to own firearms were and are to protect ourselves from our government.... governments like yours.

[@tomblack6965]

Aussie here. This was the best thing Howard (the PM at the time) ever did. I don't agree with many of his policies, but this was a very brave move and has made us more free in my opinion.

[@tomblack6965]

Just to clarify to American viewers.....free to feel immensely safer from random gun slaughter. It's so sad to think of school students being scared of a shooting attack.

[@Alpha_7227]

@@tomblack6965 That is what I don't understand how they can just allow students attend school with the thought in their head someone at any time can walk in and do damage. It's just senseless. I understand totally that farmers need a shotgun, not a machine gun, but they must have a permit. I get so annoyed at the senseless violence of another mass shooting. The NRA are accessories to murder in my book.

[@trueaussie9230]

@@tomblack6965 It's disgraceful that students - from kindergarten to university - are trained as if they are in a war zone. And America/ns persist in claiming to be the 'greatest nation in the world'. (Surely they're being ironic when they say that.)

[@juliejenkins6150]

As an Australian, I expect my government to make difficult decisions for my safety. Thank you, John Howard.

[@Anon54387]

I bet you don't know that the Port Arthur shooter showed very disturbing behaviors but they didn't put him in a psychiatric hospital until after he killed 35 people in cold blood. That was a huge failure of Aussie government, and as sleight of hand to distract from that failure 700k Aussie gun owners who never harmed anyone had their guns confiscated. And so it goes with mass shooters in the USA. The (just for three examples) shootings in Highland Park, Illinois and Parkland, Florida and Uvalde, Texas were all committed by people who had patterns of behavior that, in times past, would've earned them a permanent stay in a psychiatric hospital. When we did that we didn't have a mass shooting problem. The 1990s is when the rash of mass shootings started. It is simply wrong to infringe the rights of people not harming others instead of dealing with those who ARE the problem. That also applies to the one off shootings that typically happens on the streets. Thousands upon thousands of violent people are released from prison and thousands more are never convicted in areas with soft on crime prosecuting attorneys. Then, when those violent people are again violent, the politicians push not to put and keep those violent people in prison for the safety of the rest of us. Rather they push for even more gun controls. It really is perverse to release violent people from prison then, with all those violent people running around, tell us we can't own and carry guns on top of it.

[@moni888888]

I’m an American who moved to Australia in 1970. I’m now an Australian. I’d never choose to live in the USA! We’re happy, free and safe!

[@coaldoubt2879]

And we're desperately trying to be little America. I can't wait for China to take over America's role in the world.

[@tkimage7016]

Nice work👍 welcome 🇦🇺

[@burney7418]

Ah the 70's, what a wonderful time to be in a laid back Australia.

[@bob2shred894]

I came here in 98. I never want to live it the US again. It's a beautiful country buy the people are ruining it. I feel bad for those that do not have the option to leave.

[@anthonyjames9150]

We don't have free speech.

[@KB-eu5xi]

I’ve never worried about guns as an Aussie….not walking home and paranoid someone is following me, not walking to school, nor going to uni. I’ve never walked into a “gas station” (servo) and worried someone walking in after me would be carrying a gun. Self defence in Australia is usually hand to hand, sometimes knives. To us, only cowards carry guns. I’m 31. This is a general feeling amongst people I know.

[@connorgarvin2056]

i think its why gun control in australia worked so well in the end, because of how its engrained into our culture, even when guns werent restricted, the whole moto of "only cowards would use a gun" just works, people dont even bother to consider using a gun on a person, the worst youll get in aus is some junkie or eshay kid with a kitchen knife they stole from their parents, no guns anywhere near suburban australia

[@spooky_snowball]

my thinking is that in America it is very rare for some one to not know how to shoot. in Australia it is very rare for someone to just own a gun.

[@mank89]

Yea. Real bravery is walking out into the streets with absolutely no weapon. Mark of a true man right there.

[@itsamee3897]

As an Aussie that lived in Texas for 15 yrs and returned to Australia recently, I can tell you how much safer it feels here. During my time in the US, I was in the vicinity of gunshots in public places several times and knew many people with lots of guns - and a lot of those people were NOT responsible at all. At the time of the Port Arthur massacre, I like many Aussies, valued our ability to travel and see our home safely without the chance of a nutjob having a bad day and destroying our lives in an instant, to be able to sit and have breakfast without seeing some old guy next to you with a gun in a holster strapped to his chest while chowing down on his grand slam. I also think it makes us a happier and friendlier nation and yes, we still have crime and idiots but we don't fear our neighbours or feel that we need to protect ourselves from each other like in the US, which is probably why self defence was not considered. Port Arthur did it for us and I would have thought Sandy Hook would do it for the US but no, not even the deaths of little kids was enough. It was then that I lost my faith in the American people. It isn't going to be easy to undo all that brainwashing you guys have been subjected to for years and getting rid of your guns is the least of your worries, it's the mindset of an entire nation.

[@heatherrowles9930]

Yep, the biggest problem in the US isnt the number of guns, it is the attitudes of its people. While they raise their children to believe that killing others is some sort of right and that gun ownership (and hence the ability to kill others) is a good thing, not the horrible disaster that their gun policy clearly is, kids will continue to die because someone else thought that guns solve problems.

[@lennytabtwoo9686]

Yeah now the only nutjobs with guns are our psychotic police controlled by our corrupt government, Oh boy I really feel safe now.

[@nancinyols8015]

Hi, Itsa Mee. Funny, but I'm a Texan who has lived in Australia since 1983. I feel so very lucky to be here and to have escaped the US. Love to hear your observations on why a "Christian Nation" (as the right wing in the US labels themselves there) has less respect for life than here in Australia, the least religious country I've ever lived in. (?) Also, have you observed that a larger percentage of Australians actually keep up with what's going on in their government than in the US? Is it the compulsory voting, or the ABC, do you think?

[@trueaussie9230]

I'm in my 70s, Melbourne through and through. Your reminiscence of 'sitting next to some guy having lunch / dinner with a handgun strapped to his chest' is 'interesting'. You clearly didn't frequent Lygon Street, Carlton or Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda or Brunswick Street, Fitzroy or Chapel Street, Prahran / Windsor or the Brunswick Club, Sydney Road in the 1960s & 70s. 😉😊 But those fellas were never a threat to 'civilians'. I've never been concerned about my safety anywhere in Melbourne or anywhere else in Aus. - and I've been just about everywhere. I've met, associated with and worked with MANY Americans, both within Aus and O/S. The majority come across as extremely arrogant and bellicose. That's really NOT good personality traits for people with such ready access to such powerful firearms. BTW - I've owned firearms in Aus for more than 50 years.

[@syend6215]

Port arthur was a one of incredibly few mass shootings we've had in Australia, and we're no longer even allowed the right to defend ourselves.

[@tigereye22]

I've never had to worry about a single gun walking through Adelaide, any shops, down the street or going out to a pub. It just never crosses your mind and I know I'm safe

[@JupiterThndr]

As someone who also lives in adelaide I also work at a servo i dont have to worry about crazy customers coming in with guns. I really couldnt do my job in American i would be too terrified

[@SambarMoose]

There are still plenty of fireams in Australia. There would be guns all around you. We dont have as many people in turn not as much crime and mental illness in Australia and that is what makes you safe.

[@1911GreaterThanALL]

Nobody needs to worry about a gun walking......

[@darrylberndt4242]

I'm An Australian and was 26 when this came about. Based on the American doing this study trying almost to prove the gun control wasn't the fix. Well it certainly made a huge difference and I've spoken to Americans who now live here and say how safe they feel just going to the supermarket and have no intentions of ever going back to live in fear like that again. EVER! John Howard our then prime minister has saved thousands of lives.

[@cheriewallace2601]

I’m Australian, remember this, it was brilliant. Single best thing John Howard did, even those of us who hate him think it was a great move.

[@evanmorony7927]

Too true, I've little love for Howard or his party, but solidly support the gun buyback and the national policies that came in thereafter. It was a huge win for us as a community and our safety.

[@rogerhendy8340]

@@evanmorony7927 How is it 'safer'? There are more guns now in Australia than ever before, that is a fact. How do you feel safer knowing there are more guns in your community than before? Sounds like you've watched way too much TV over the years. I suppose you got your jabs because the politician on TV said they were "safe and effective" when clearly they are not?

[@jimbrown2804]

Single best thing done by a politician ever. Couldn't stand John Howard as a person but he was an exceptional politician. He made what had to be done happen. Uncontroled weapons do not make peace.

[@muadhdontworry]

@@rogerhendy8340 but not every Tom dick and Harry can get a hold of one. Yeh more guns are here but your average bloke just can't get one that easy. What criminals do are far more sophisticated for the average bloke. Your comment makes no sense

[@jayehum5019]

@@rogerhendy8340 Fact Check; In 1997, the year after the Port Arthur massacre, Australia had 6.52 licensed firearm owners per 100 population. By 2020, that proportion had almost halved, to 3.41 licensed gun owners for every 100 people. Government figures show that imports of modern firearms for private owners fluctuate between 65,000 and 116,000 each year. But even after 25 years of importing well over a million new guns since the firearm buybacks, the rate of registered firearms per 100 population has only risen by 1.7 percent. (University of Sydney, April 2021) Australians now own more guns in total than they did before the 1996 crackdown, according to figures from 2016 - the last time they were comprehensively studied. That amounts to more than three million firearms, according to separate government statistics. "But gun ownership per capita has dropped by 23% during the same time", said Associate Prof Philip Alpers from the University of Sydney. In the past 30 years, the number of households with at least one gun has declined by 75%. However, Associate Prof Alpers said that those who already own guns are buying more and registering them at a higher rate.

[@rundamoonsong]

All I can say as an Australian, is that we don’t fear sending our children to school. Enough said I reckon.

[@csjrogerson2377]

@@spannaspinna Well, LOTS of people do and NOBODY should.

[@lynnetrathen4587]

It’s not a fear of guns that we send our kids to school 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Tripintrios]

@@lynnetrathen4587 dude who said it was about the guns

[@lynnetrathen4587]

@@Tripintrios are you serious 🤦🏻‍♀️ of course it’s about guns 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ r

[@fatdoi003]

@@lynnetrathen4587 very soon schools in US will be built like prisons

[@jayfilmer2594]

As an Australian, i think it was brilliant to stop the general population from owning guns. The only people that should have guns are legit farmers for pest control, law enforcement and owners that are members of a sports shooting club. If you feel you need to defend yourself with a gun because everyone else has a gun, then your country has serious social issues that need to be resolved. How Americans put up with the amount of mass shootings they have and to have still done nothing about it, says more about Americas culture, than it does about the gunmen doing the shooting, and it blows my mind how desensitized Americans have become to the needless deaths of their own citizens, and their own safety. Using the Constitutional right to own one should never outweigh common sense.

[@dutchroll]

I was a gun owner and military officer at the time of the gun reforms. I’m currently visiting the USA and two nights ago I yet again had to blow the mind of a guy who asked about them by saying I supported the gun law changes. It’s really hard to explain there’s not a gun culture here and that even a single shooting (generally limited to within crime gangs) makes headline news across much of the country. Also no school kid here knows what an “active shooter drill” is and few people would even have heard of such a thing.

[@kalonhansen6367]

I’m an Aussie and I was all for it. Have never seen a shooting in my 40 years of life in Australia. Yet when I travelled to the US in 2018 on my first night in the country I had to take shelter in a Burger King in Boston as advised by the personal security the chain had hired because of recent shootings in their car park. I was so innocent and ignorant I thought they were fireworks, wasn’t even aware of the danger I was in.

[@RobB-vz2vo]

It took 3 months to get the Australian gun law drafted, debated, and enacted. I read someone's comment on another forum where an Australian visited his relo in the US and was told that he's glad he lives in a society that allows him to take his gun with him when he takes his family out so that he could protect them. The Aussie replied that he's glad he lives in a society where he didn't have to take a gun with him to protect his family when he takes them out.

[@theresemoore5517]

Im a 67 year old Australian. I live in the suburbs of a capitol city. Why would I need a gun? why would I want a gun? None of my friends of family need or want a gun.

[@aaroncody530]

I'm about to turn 44 and remember this well. The 1996 elelction, where he took goverment from the ALP, was the first ever election I voted in, and I certainly didn't vote for him. My dad had guns and we were no strangers to shooting, but he gladly handed in those weapons which became illegal after these changes. It's now 2022, a balmy summers evening and y back door is wide open so a breeze can come through and I have absolutley zero concern that that might lead to a home invasion where I wish I had a weapon to defend myself. Defending ones self is something that takes up precisely zero brain power of the average Australian. I actually like guns, I get the enjoyment of them, but I have no need to own one. This is the one and only thing that John Howard did that I absolutley support.

[@Aabergm]

About 10 years younger and agree with this comment 100%

[@bazaks447]

Dito mate 👍

[@sidneygriffiths5737]

From the UK near zero gun crime obviously as they're not legal, but sitting here it astonishes me that guns are still so freely available, society has changed from 100 years ago when you definitely needed that form of protection

[@shxtgigs4662]

Mate as mid 20 yr old that grew up in rougher western Sydney areas I’m glad it’s hard to get guns… alot of my dumb ass mates got wrapped into drugs and violence and would of used a gun in the heat of the moment but know they finished TAFE and run business with happy families and didn’t go that route .. it’s alot easier to shoot then to stab someone

[@chrisistrangerthanu]

I was a 7 year old child who lived in Hobart, Tasmania when the Port Arthur massacre occurred. My mum knew one of the victims. Two of the children killed were younger than I was, Alannah (6) and Madeline (3). The mass shooter still lives in my local prison. I am exceptionally grateful that we have our gun laws. My daughter goes to school and my biggest fear is her falling out of a tree while she's there. Also, you should react to something about Tasmania as a place. We are a pretty beautiful and unique little island. 😊

[@1337pianoman]

Don't tell him that! If people find out how great it is here, property prices will just get higher haha

[@mgoodinoz]

Just came back from a trip to Hobart, including a visit to Port Arthur. It was a lovely few days

[@borisjevic6338]

"Also, you should react to something about Tasmania as a place." Oh no, I can hear i already, as it is already described on the mainland. "the Hillbillies of Australia and then they call you "the Alabama of Australia" 😉😉😎😎😂😂🤣🤣

[@behemothsbaby]

I've never been to Tassie and I really need to!

[@uknowispeaksense7056]

I lived and worked in Tassie for a few years and fell in love with the place. I've just bought a house in George Town and will hopefully be moving down there to retire next year.

[@helenlewis5409]

I’m an Aussie in my sixties and vividly remember that day, whole saga was horrifying. A lot of the other shootings were in Melbourne and was a drug war but still incredibly horrific. not a fan of John Howard and in fact it was Tim Fischer who was massively instrumental in these policies being implemented but seriously, not matter who got the accolades, In was a brilliant decision and achievement and one that I can guarantee is appreciated by 99% of Australians especially when we see what happens in your country!

[@wizofoz0605]

Well said HElen. It was the bravery of Tim Fischer to stand up to his rural electorate as leader of the Nats which saw the legislation through. People give credit to Howard, but it was Fischer who was the driving force. Howard, as always, just sniffed the wind, and went wherever that took him.

[@davidlloyd7597]

I'm not a fan of John Howard either but even before he came to power, he expressed privately the view that gun laws should be tougher to prevent the mass shootings that were occurring at the time.

[@christinefing]

I am an Australian and I’m glad we have these gun laws. I feel it is a lot safer in Australia than in America.

[@OldFatWhiteMan]

Lmao.. and when someone breaks into your home at 3 in the morning.. maybe you can defend yourself with a fork!... funny how history has a way of repeating itself!... Australia kinda reminds me of another point in time where a certain individual took away people's guns and then killed them!

[@carokat1111]

Well, that rarely happens in out country thankfully. We are happy to not live in a country with a gun culture.

[@OldFatWhiteMan]

@@carokat1111 keep telling yourself that, the next time someone in Australia kills another person with a knife or car is the government gonna ban those as well... humanity is weak and pathetic!

[@tayloralliecee]

am also australian and i will say there has been above average amount of gun violence from gangs this year in sydney and Melbourne but as for general gun violence it is a pretty good system, and police have been cracking down hard on the gangs for it all.

[@bigs1546]

@@tayloralliecee And the gangs and "Underground" tend to shoot each other...............the rest of us are pretty safe - and the cops do a decent job, even if like everywhere else some people hate them.

[@Tinkers484]

Our gun buy back program was so good kids were bringing in their toy guns which was adorable. As an Australian I am proud of the policy. My little sister was the same age as one of the younger victims during the Port Arthur Massacre and I remember sobbing on my mother and not understanding why someone would do this to anyone let alone children. I came from farming families and had always been taught a healthy respect for guns and who was allowed to use them and under what circumstances. I have fired a gun and know they still hold a place in rural farming, particularly with feral pigs and foxes but I definitely agree they hold no place in the suburbs. The thing is we have still have gun violence, nothing will ever truly stop that, but it's usually people who have bought guns on the black market to shoot at other people who did the same. We are always going to have drug or gang related shootings with deals going bad etc, but as things stand our kids don't need bullet proof vests when they go to school, so there is that in our favour...

[@KishB65au]

I am Australian and I was a young teenager at the time that our gun policy was introduced, I do remember the buy back times, but the biggest thing I remember about our time during gun ownership was that a school friend of mine went home for lunch and never came back to school. He had gone to his friends place to look at his friends fathers gun, while messing around with it the gun fired and he was shot in the head. I never lived in rural Australia but out there it made sense to have guns, but in city suburbs there was no sense to it....I am so overwhelmingly sad that Port Arthur massacre happened, but as a whole for our country it started the necessary changes, my children grew up without fear of anyone coming to their school and shooting them, our schools don't have or have ever had metal detectors.

[@L1VE3V1L]

I’m Aussie and I love our gun laws. I can walk down the street and KNOW no one is carrying a gun. The horse has already bolted for America. Too big to reverse.

[@Boomage1979]

I was all for the gun reform back then when I was 17, and now at 43 I'm even more glad that we changed the laws. I like knowing that in public the police are usually the only ones carrying guns. I feel safe anywhere anytime, I'd take that everytime.

[@trueaussie9230]

More importantly, I believe, is that when the police encounter someone armed with a firearm they can be 99% confident that person is up to no good. US police are denied that confidence.

[@syend6215]

Sadly most of our police can't hit a moving target the size of a human, so I'd rather carry myself. But there's no need because we aren't a very violent nation.

[@izacile]

honestly as an australian it never really worried me that we weren’t allowed to have guns and i preferred it that way. i can walk down the cbd without worrying that someone will possibly go on an all out rampage. i get that a lot of americans do talk about how it’s not safe for us to not own guns but there is no gun threat because i know that no one else owns a gun.

[@beardymcbeardface69]

We do have guns though. Last figure I saw was that there were around 3 million registered guns in Australia. So who nows how many unregistered guns there are on top of that.

[@izacile]

yeah i get that, but it is super unlikely that we will just see a person carrying a gun around that aren’t the police. And people that do have them usually are the police or people who use them for agricultural purposes but i get what you mean abt how there are probably a bunch of unregistered guns. when the law passed a lot of people probably hid their guns.

[@Playtechy]

@@izacile Except; if you walk around late at night in the CBD there's always a chance you're going to get a knife pulled on you and robbed. Would be a hell of a lot less likely if the crooks thought you might have a gun. I'm former LEO and the amount of Robberies that occur not just in the CBD but in other suburbs as well is mind boggling. All using knives pretty much. And the courts don't care. They give the crooks no jail time. It's not uncommon for some crooks to get arrested a dozen times in 6 months for the same stuff. Sometimes it goes wrong and they kill or injure. Knowing what I know today, I wish I'd have something to protect myself in those situations, I know women would probably want something to equalize the situation too.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

AND we didnt practice gun lockdowns at school

[@Alpha_7227]

Just think of the damage that sicko in Bourke st could have done if he had a machine gun instead of a sword.

[@swanny1824]

I'm from Tasmania and was closely impacted by the Port Arthur massacre. My dad had many guns as he was an active hunter for kangaroos and ducks. He welcomed the change, he had to sell back several guns and kept the rifles that were non-automatic for his hobby of hunting. It was just so logical and still is.

[@tracy_in_primary]

I knew someone who was at Port Arthur the day this happened - I remember being so worried for her until we found out she had been elsewhere on the site and was physically unharmed. I am so glad that guns are not something I ever think about, no matter where I am in this country. I am a teacher, and have never once stopped to think about how safe I am at work. We prepare for bushfires and onsite emergencies, but not shooters. My boss is American, and she mentioned recently that we really don't have much to be afraid of here. She prefers the rare possibility of a few spiders and snakes that would rather avoid us over "coyotes, mountain lions, bears and people with guns" that will hunt you down. She's spot on.

[@Falkirion]

I've never had to worry about guns growing up as an Aussie. I'd never handled a firearm in my life until I was well into my 20s, and that was at a range under full supervision of the range master. I fully respect Howard and the LNP for taking the stance they did and pushing the laws through, it's something he can be proud of as the leader of Australia at the time.

[@janerowe15]

I am a 63 year old Aussie woman and I remember the Port Arthur massacre vividly. Particular the children that lost their lives. I live in Melbourne and there is a charity foundation called the Madeline and Alana foundation created by their father who also lost his wife in the massacre. Can you imagine your whole family wiped out and others involved in this tragedy who lost their family members. The Madeline and Alana foundation is for children who have experienced or witnessed violence and runs programs which aim to prevent violence in the lives of children. A thoroughly worthwhile organisation. We even have an Aussie football team who celebrate the Madeline and Alana dqy each year and help raise funds. I guess this does keep the massacre fresh in people's minds but that's a good thing. It reinforces what John Howard bought in and although I have never been a conservative voter (Liberal), I am immensely proud that his party stood up to the powerful gun lobiests and had the guts to pull it off. Australia is a much much safer Country and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I've raised my kids to live a reasonably care free life. Go Aussies 😁👍💙

[@Nayz13]

Exactly! It’s one of the few good things that the Libs ever did (it went downhill from there 😂)

[@Molnou]

Alana and Madeline get me every time. Those beautiful little girls are my first thought when someone mentions Port Arthur.

[@nickmaguire4914]

Agree regarding JH but don't forget the work of the late Tim Fisher who had the Country Party constituency and faced down a heap of external and internal pressure. They weren't and still aren't Parties I can support but getting this through was amazing.

[@zalired8925]

As a former feral control shooter and growing up in the country I was against Howard's gun control. Now I'm bloody glad he had the guts to take us all on and I thank him for the hundreds of lives he's saved. May have even been mine or your life saved, we'll never know thanks to him.

[@ReddRubble]

It's so good to read this. I am so glad that our gun control is now something that's pretty much accepted in all sides of our parliament and population.

[@8023120SL]

@@ReddRubble No. It most definitely has NOT been accepted by all sides AT ALL!

[@mudbutton2]

Current hunter and competitive pistol shooter and I was against Howard's laws then and I'm still against them now.

[@crosseyedone7960]

Mate, here in Tasmania there's plenty of bad guys killing good guys with the use of a gun. Increasingly your average person needs the ability to defend themselves. PM Howard is and was a sell out to the NWO. In Australia women cannot even use Pepper spray to defend themselves. For goodness sake it's even now illegal to wear a stab proof vest or a bullet proof vest. Both are classed, as is pepper spray, as lethal weapons with 5 years plus prison time. What happened up the road from me was a setup (fullstop).

[@nedkelly9688]

Hard to say if better or not, maybe terrorists would of done stuff here if was easier to all have guns. But you can still buy them on black market and i knew a guy you could get grenades from. More guns sold on black market now then before law. Police say more guns are coming in through black market also. I miss guns and know a lot who never handed theirs in. I just think Australians aren't as stupid as USA etc. More guns owned now then before the law.. legally with licenses.

[@petevanderhorst8792]

Aussie born and bred here, it's not just mass shootings that dropped but incidents of domestic violence shootings, I can remember frequently when growing up in the eighties and nineties, hearing on the nightly news of an father going mad grabbing his gun shooting his partner and kids before turning the gun on himself, this used to terrify me as a kid. I still remember the news on Port Arthur.... We were all horrified, and when the gun buy back came into effect breathing a sigh of relief, I hate to think the way global society has changed that if we didn't have the laws we do now .... Maybe things would be as bad as they appear to be in your proud nation .

[@Anon54387]

Why did it terrify you? Was your dad also violent? I grew up in a household with guns and heard of domestic violence in the news, but it didn't terrify me as that didn't happen in my family.

[@petevanderhorst8792]

@@Anon54387 because I was a child, seeing on the news someone going nuts and shooting their own kids was kinda scary at the time, I guess it's called empathy something psychopaths apparently don't have

[@shariwhite2424]

I feel it is because as Australians in such a harsh country we have always had to look after each other to survive. So when faced with a situation we come together to do the best for all.

[@amc4051]

Being Australian and living before the controls and afterwards, I think that the change was a pivotal moment for Australia. I generally feel so safe here, and gun violence has never affected me personally or any friend. However, my friends in the US tell a very different story and I constant worry about guns when I am on holiday there.

[@oracal1]

Fantastic, my parents were holidaying in Tasmania days before the shooting. We turned in our guns in the days following. I was military at the time and wholeheartedly support this stance.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

I'm an Aussie. We love our gun laws.

[@bonoroo5313]

The best single thing that happened in Australia was the gun control, I worked at a pub in Port Arthur, my mother in law was the manager in the Cafe where it happened, I knew the shooter, and employed his sister, I knew a few that died that day, I also knew a bus driver whose life changed forever after one of his passengers was shot and he was left with blood all over him. No good thing can ever come from wholesale gun ownership, fullstop.

[@carokat1111]

As a local, this comment really cut through. I feel for all the witnesses and first responders who continue to struggle with the events of that horrendous day.

[@CQuinnLady]

Lindy Bryant must have had a hell of a life after that. To be blamed and hated just because u were the sister of Martin. Martin was an entity on his own, autistic an imbecile (medical not insultive). A terrible day in Aussie history, Im glad they ripped the place down.

[@carokat1111]

@@TimonSuricata I think there's only one troll and conspiracy theorist here.

[@carokat1111]

@@TimonSuricata I'm Tasmanian, I know the facts. I won't engage with conspiracy theorists.

[@TimonSuricata]

@@carokat1111 ok newbie bye

[@samanthahowarth9243]

I am a 17 year old just finishing schooling and travelling all over Australia. No matter where I go here I feel safe and especially in my school we do not have gun lock down drills because these no longer occur all the time

[@evaadams8298]

I will never forget this day and the whole nation was horrified... It rocked us to the core... SHOCKING! I’m so grateful to John Howard and this is his legacy to our beautiful country....

[@kathygeorgiou7687]

Me too. I remember the port Arthur shooting & I feel we are now lucky that we don’t have access to guns like the USA.

[@KenoReplay.]

5:35 Not to dismiss the point because AR-15s do get publicised a lot, but ARs aren't the most common weapon used in mass shootings. Pistols are.

[@flatandsplat]

This Aussie feels safe to walk the streets and safe in her home. My kids feel safe at school and, as a teacher, the thought of gun violence in my school is never a consideration. Feel blessed to live here and blessed to have my children growing up here. Americans talk about their right to bear arms. I feel it a stronger right for me and my kids to grow up feeling safe in their own country.

[@sumdouglas3376]

I was so proud of us for giving up gun culture for our people. I was only a kid. But myself and my children grow up safely. Also thank you for your open mindedness towards our country.

[@denisehitchens1418]

You won't be safe in time. the u N. Or own govt will shoot you unarmed.

[@Lost.aussie]

Yeah cool out of the 300 odd thousand sks rifle sold back in the day only about 11% got handed in .. none are left in licenced hands where are the rest , also you could take the barrle and receiver and stock apart and hand it in as 3 separate guns

[@Splattle101]

Aussie here. I was a youngish adult when this went down. There was a massive ground swell of support for this measure. Furthermore, both of the major political parties in Australia supported the reform at the time, and have continued to support and adapt it since then. It really demonstrates that when one side decides to play an issue for political advantage the issue becomes poison. Possibly forever.

[@genevieveharrison6510]

I am an australain I think its great to not have to worry about getting shot when just walking down the street. The laws are absolutly necessary for those living in citys.

[@TrinaMadeIt]

Millennial Aussie here, I was very little when these laws came in but I'm sooo glad we have them. The peace of mind that people aren't just walking around with guns makes me happy. I don't know how you guys in America handle that fear knowing every random can and probably does have a weapon.

[@emceeboogieboots1608]

Imagine being a cop? No wonder they are trigger happy over there. You would be shit scared every time you pulled someone over

[@tameelah3839]

I was visiting my best friend in a small country town near Port Arthur on the day of the massacre. I was going to visit Port Arthur on that day, we got distracted and never went down to the area. That day my best friend lost two of her family and I have seen how much it has affected her family. I was glad to see the gun law changes. Later in life lived in the USA for 10 years. While living in the US I have missed being shot by multiple times, heard people firing their guns into the air on New Years Eve and much, much more. I am glad to be back home and I much prefer Australia's gun laws than USA.

[@OldFatWhiteMan]

You sound like you follow orders very well

[@Garryck-1]

@@OldFatWhiteMan - You sound like you very much enjoy that you and your family are potential targets.

[@OldFatWhiteMan]

@@Garryck-1 🤣😂🤣... and you sir sound like a good little sheep that enjoys being told what you can't or can have to defend yourself... how's the bottom of that boot taste 🖕🏻🖕🏻... Australia sucks

[@Garryck-1]

@@OldFatWhiteMan - Here's the funny thing. Australia is so safe that we don't NEED guns to defend ourselves. And yep.. Australia sucks SO much that it ranks just 8th on the Global Freedom Index.. whereas the United States is way down in 15th place. But please do keep thinking that it sucks here. We have enough mouthbreathing morons of our own, without you coming here too.

[@OldFatWhiteMan]

@@Garryck-1 ... you follow orders very well don't you?.. ( the government took our guns away to keep us safe ) the government would never be against its own people... pfft smfh you are weak and pathetic

[@Hylevel]

As an Australian I have a short story, a few years back a single person was shoot at midnight near my high school, the attack wasn't fatal, the shooter was caught & within a few days the person shot was able to return home without any permanent damage. However, that single incident shocked every person in our school for MONTHS, keep in mind the person shot was an adult not even correlated to our school. My point here is that a single shot fired shocked my entire community for months yet I can only imagine how quickly things would have been forgotten in some other places on the earth.

[@Hunterspuddy]

Im a 6'1 gay man, I'm big, built, I hate the "scene", I was drugged and raped. My gym regiment was a supernatural metabolism almost. I never told my friends and family because my mum was a rape victim and she'd blame her self. Prevent everything

[@Lolliegoth]

@@Hunterspuddy What is the relevance here?

[@kaz1578]

Imagine the difference if the weapon used was a semi-automatic and the carnage that could have been caused.

[@AnkosLoveSlave]

To add to your short story. I'm from Melbourne and back in 1987 I was 17 and was in the area of a shooting, Police everywhere, bullets flying and yes I was one of many lucky people not to be hit. 8 people were killed at the time but the total ended at 9.

[@evelynharber6077]

@@Hunterspuddy Although I am only able to offer my sympathy for a probable painful experience to both you and your mother as Lolliegoth asked what relevance to the conversation is your comment?

[@saffronwhyte8843]

Aussie here. I was in my twenties when this happened. The prime minister John Howard was leader of the conservatives-equivalent of the Republican Party- so for him to go so hard on gun control, was pretty amazing considering their coalition partners the lnp were the country party, the party that was representing rural Australia. It’s pretty much the only good thing the conservatives have ever done for the Australian people.

[@paulbell4062]

Well said 👏

[@emay666]

I am Australian and like so many, I remember the Port Arthur Massacre vividly. It was such a televised event and details were released through the media as they heard it, with very little censoring, that the nation all felt like they were there, like it was their families he killed, and all felt the same collective horror and disgust at what was done. Never has a government come together so quickly and concisely to remedy a situation to ensure it never happens again, John Howard and the Liberal party were literally going against their voting base by enacting these gun laws, but they did it anyway because it was the right thing to do, and while he, and subsequent Liberal governments have done some less than stellar things, the gun laws are something that cant be faulted. We dont worry about shootings, we dont worry about mass shootings, our children dont ever have to worry about school shooters, or school shooter drilles, and parents never have to make a dna kit of their kids incase they cant be visually identified after a mass shooting. The only thing I have to worry about when I leave my house is do I need to bring a jacket and have I remembered my keys. The USA way of life is not normal.

[@Heyheyhey285]

Australian here 🙌 I grew up more rural with my family hunting and owning legal guns. To be honest even my most hick family members think American gun laws are plain stupid. No one should be able to get a gun that easily and they certainly don't belong in the suburbs. I can also say that I've never felt unsafe in regards to guns in my life until I went to America.

[@aussiemiss1315]

I have been to the US many times over the last 45 years It is a different world with different sensibilities. In 1977 when guns were more common in Australia before buy back police were not even armed. We landed in the US in Hawaii in AUGUST 1977 and the first thing I noticed were the police armed with automatic rifles. I immediately felt unsafe, it was a knee jerk reaction. Since then every time we visit family and friends there are more and more guns. Now I was raised on a property we had a rifle, a shotgun and a double barrel shot gun. We were taught how to shoot. John Howard’s reaction to the massacre and the effort to turn back and not go down the road of more and more weapons has saved many lives. My grandchildren do not have prepare themselves for a possible school shooting where the use of gunfire with pellets and fake blood is common. They can just be kids. They do have fire drill however and I assume possible terrorism is mentioned but I am unaware that it goes as far as fake blood. I feel safer , I am safer ( I did not say safe as things do happen), I am safer because there are less guns and the gun culture is just not part of our identity. There is nowhere in the United States that I feel safe at the moment. Open carry laws confound me. I walk into a shop buy what I need and get out of there. I do not feel safe walking down the street even in a country town. It is a very real fear. People get depressed, they get to a point where they can snap. Kids can pick up a gun from mums bag aim it at someone and pull the trigger. Yes, we have depressed people too, yes, we probably have illegal guns on the street but I feel safer knowing that most people are unarmed. I am safer because even though there are guns there are a lot less then there would have been. I have been to many countries 6 in South America. I felt very safe in every one. I feel far safer in Mexico than the US. The United States is the only place I do not feel safe. Northern Ireland has had troubles but I still feel safe there. I know it is the culture but it must cause anxiety for parents sending children to school. In my business I see more and more Americans who have moved here to raise children in a culture that is not as focused on guns. I am not anti gun, far from it, I just think no civilian has need of a weapon that can shoot someone a kilometre a way. Thos e weapons are designed for war. They are designed to kill humans. If the founding fathers had known what weapons there would be in the future maybe they would have framed the second amendment differently.

[@robertmurray8763]

I've travelled to 15 countries and the United States is the only one I saw people threatened too be shot on several occasions includes myself. For a simple misunderstanding. In a country where lots of people carry guns. The only country I will not go back too !!

[@brett7801]

Aussie here, spent a couple of years working in the US across many states. Always found it odd most conversations with locals, when they found out I was an Aussie. Would be about gun control. Our laws, and the strong public support for them is largely misunderstood by most US citizens.

[@9459viola]

I am Tasmanian, Port Arthur Massacre was horrific. Our Prime Minister Howard - that was the best thing he did, pushing through a strict gun law. Respect to him.

[@Scion_Herald]

As an Australian born after the introduction of the NFA, I have never had to worry about if someone has a gun and intends to use it. I have been to a gun range and enjoyed the experience but the thought of guns only enters my mind when I see it in media. I strongly appreciate the Australian gun laws

[@MrMattjohn87]

As an Aussie that lives in a rural area, guns are just not a big deal. They are a tool used for a very specific purpose but beyond that, there isn't a gun nut culture. Kids go to school without worrying about there being a shooting, and when a shooting does happen it's a national tragedy. In the US the same type of shooting doesn't even make the news anymore.

[@carokat1111]

As a Tasmanian, I will never forget that time. My colleague lost a close friend. Everyone was in shock for days. I am now and always have been a Green voter. i thank John Howard every day for having the courage to act quickly and decisively. it’s worked. Guns are not prevalent but if you genuinely need a gun you can get them, following adequate checks. Win, win.

[@kyliewingrave5982]

I am also a greens / labour voter. I did not vote for John Howard but like you am incredibly thankful to this day for what he did. Hard to express hope much gratitude I have this.

[@SiilanPies]

@@kyliewingrave5982 I wasn't even alive when Port Arthur happened. I was born in '97, but I'm still eternally grateful for the effort he put into making this change a reality. He may not have gotten my vote, even if I could vote for him, but he'll always have my respect.

[@Hunterspuddy]

"My colleague, green". Yeah we get it $$$

[@carokat1111]

@@Hunterspuddy What? that makes no sense.

[@richardtaylor1652]

I still remember my parents taking me to the Cenotaph where there was a constant stream of choppers bringing in the wounded and driving them to the Royal Hobart Hospital. Port Arthur finally sobered the nation up that gun control had to happen. There was so much hostility towards it and there was any wonder if it would ever happen. Now looking back you cannot imagine not having gun control in Australia.

[@Kattana1877]

Firstly, thank you non for filling my feed with "American reacts to Australian blah blah" for watching this. Secondly, I have an online conservative friend from the US and he constantly says that Australia is stupid for not having guns. And non of my US friends seem to realise that there's no need for guns down here besides law enforcement, hunting and such. No one is gonna pull up and try to shoot me, no one is gonna come into my school with a gun. I train in martial arts and I can see why people from the US shit on them but people from other places praise them. In Australia, I can use my martial arts to protect myself because at most, they have a knife. In America, martial arts won't work because every second person has a gun. Even so, I don't really need my martial arts for daily use. Everyone down here is mostly chill besides the occasional drunk

[@rhodes1948]

As a NSW paramedic at the time I was and still am in favour of our gun laws

[@capatheist]

What’s being a nsw paramedic got to do with it? The massacre happened in Tassie, and gun crime wasn’t a big problem here before the massacre… I don’t see how it’s relevant… on that logic we should ban all things that cause injury… You’re opinion on the subject is no more valid then any other random person.

[@dethvyper3136]

@@capatheist .....Where have you been, gun violence was common almost everywhere, hell even I had a Beretta handgun as well as a pump action 12gauge back in the 80's, I even witnessed a couple of shootings, one where I almost had my head blown off by a shotgun, the blast went just above my head when a gunman tried to kill a neighbour. Why the HELL would you question a paramedic who's job it is to be out in the streets and homes of people, where they see and deal with things on a daily basis compared to someone such as you who doesn't. Were you a paramedic back in the day dealing with gun related injuries and deaths, if not then you don't have a clue what you're talking about. BTW we register vehicles and have 3rd party compulsory insurance which is all part of regulation and safety, but you think regulation and safety shouldn't apply to guns hahaha, and guns aren't even a necessity in society like vehicles are. IGNORANT.

[@australianjackaroo6660]

Let me guess, gunshot victims are just too much work and you'd rather attend to an elderly person that would just sit there and shut up?.

[@australianjackaroo6660]

@Ab Jo there are no grey areas in the law there is only lawful and unlawful Australia is a country that is controlled by the law not by the people hence Australia being a constitutional monarchy. And by the way I support 99% of the current gun laws.

[@caelum860]

@@capatheist “on that logic we should ban all things that cause injury” right. Because a knife totally has the same “injury causing capabilities” as a machine gun - which can quite literally kill dozens in a matter of seconds. See, the problem isn’t that they cause harm, but rather how much harm they can cause.