I’m from Southern CA, and saw this letter to the editor in my local paper. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the figures, obviously, but thought this might be of interest to you folks "down under", all Californians, as well as the rest of the gun owners. Anyway, here it is in its entirety:
"It has been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed, a program costing the government more than $500 million dollars.
And now the results are in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent; Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent). In the state of Victoria, homicides with firearms are up 300 percent. Figures over the previous 25 years show a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms (changed drastically in the last twelve months). There has been an increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly.
Australian politicians are on the spot and at a loss to explain how no improvement in "safety" has been observed after such monumental effort and expense was successfully expended in "ridding society of guns." Bet you won’t see this data on the evening news or hear your governor or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information.
It’s time to state it plainly: Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws only affect the law-abiding citizens. Take note, Californians, before it’s too late!" JEFF BRACK
Okay, back to me (Fred). As I said, don’t know if the figures are accurate, but it sure seems to be the exact opposite of what is happening in those states here that have "shall-issue" laws on the books. Kind of a sad commentary on what happens when folks think they know what is best for people, and pass these ridiculous gun control laws!
Bruce from West Oz - I read your recent post, and share your frustration. Hang in there. I can only hope that if these stats are true, that sooner or later folks will complain loudly enough that restrictions might ease. I wish you, and your fellow Australians, well.
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Regards - AZFred
"It has been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed, a program costing the government more than $500 million dollars.
And now the results are in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent; Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent). In the state of Victoria, homicides with firearms are up 300 percent. Figures over the previous 25 years show a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms (changed drastically in the last twelve months). There has been an increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly.
Australian politicians are on the spot and at a loss to explain how no improvement in "safety" has been observed after such monumental effort and expense was successfully expended in "ridding society of guns." Bet you won’t see this data on the evening news or hear your governor or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information.
It’s time to state it plainly: Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws only affect the law-abiding citizens. Take note, Californians, before it’s too late!" JEFF BRACK
Okay, back to me (Fred). As I said, don’t know if the figures are accurate, but it sure seems to be the exact opposite of what is happening in those states here that have "shall-issue" laws on the books. Kind of a sad commentary on what happens when folks think they know what is best for people, and pass these ridiculous gun control laws!
Bruce from West Oz - I read your recent post, and share your frustration. Hang in there. I can only hope that if these stats are true, that sooner or later folks will complain loudly enough that restrictions might ease. I wish you, and your fellow Australians, well.
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Regards - AZFred
