I understand this is a sensitive, controversial topic. I also understand people may have different views and opinions on guns and gun control as a whole, and that's okay. Even though I'm starting this thread, I'd like it to be a discussion, not so much a debate or even arguments. The last thing I want to do is offend or upset anyone in this community, I would just like to know people's opinions on the matter.
I read the news recently and heard that unfortunately, there's been another shooting in Virginia, America, which I'm sure you've all heard about already, probably way before me.
The victims were a television reporter Alison Parker, camera operator Adam Ward and the interviewee Vicki Gardner. Parker and Ward were killed in the shooting, while Gardner was wounded but is now in a stable condition. The gunman was Vester Le Flanagan II, who also died after the shooting due to a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
The full article can be seen here - http://www.news.com.au/world/north-amer ... 7500400061
From my understanding, there are a lot of shootings in America, with a broad scope of victims of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. I don't live in America, I live in Australia, so the only way I know of these shootings is from what I hear and read from the media. I do see people's Facebook status updates about these things, all in all, each and every case is horrible and sad.
Australia isn't perfect. There are still incidents of assault and murder where guns are involved. However, our last mass shooting was back in 1996, in Port Arthur, Tasmania (the Port Arthur Massacre). On the morning of April the 28th, Martin Bryant took to the streets Port Arthur armed with a Colt AR-15 SP1 .223 carbine rifle and a L1A1 SLR .308 battle rifle, murdering thirty five people and wounding twenty three more. In the end, Bryant was wounded by police and captured, leading to life imprisonment with no parole.
Since the massacre, the Australian Government has tightened control on guns, placing very high restrictions on automatic/semi-automatic rifles and shotguns and pump action shotguns as well. As I mentioned before, Australia still has unfortunate incidents involving guns but ever since the Port Arthur Massacre, we thankfully haven't had a mass shooting since. Touch wood it doesn't happen again any time soon.
I know a lot of people who are grateful for our gun laws. On the other hand, I also know people who are against it and wish to see guns back in Australia. One fella I know is very much against Australia's gun laws, wanting it to be more like the United States. When asked why, he will often say things like "Alcohol and drugs kill people too. Why aren't they banned? What about cars? Cars kill people too. Should we ban them?"
To me, that seems like a bit of an immature response. For starters, most drugs are illegal and are essentially "banned". Alcohol of course has punishment for those who might cause trouble because of alcohol induced behaviour - I got a friend who doesn't drink anymore because he's a massive tool when drunk. As for cars, the intention for cars is to transport people from A to B. We all know what the intention of a gun is.
I don't know what the "solution" is because the solution doesn't sound like an easy path. Personally, I think there should be tighter control on guns. I guess I just fail to see why people should be allowed to own and carry firearms... why would anyone be allowed to own say, an AR-15 and just keep it at home? Sometimes it makes sense, a farmer owns a property and uses a rifle to get rid of animals that may be trying to prey on their cattle, for example. But to be able to legally own a weapon and then conceal it somewhere on your body? I know you can do that with a knife, but considering a pistol can carry seven, nine or even more rounds? Well, that terrifies me.
What do you guys think? Your thoughts?
I read the news recently and heard that unfortunately, there's been another shooting in Virginia, America, which I'm sure you've all heard about already, probably way before me.
The victims were a television reporter Alison Parker, camera operator Adam Ward and the interviewee Vicki Gardner. Parker and Ward were killed in the shooting, while Gardner was wounded but is now in a stable condition. The gunman was Vester Le Flanagan II, who also died after the shooting due to a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
The full article can be seen here - http://www.news.com.au/world/north-amer ... 7500400061
From my understanding, there are a lot of shootings in America, with a broad scope of victims of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. I don't live in America, I live in Australia, so the only way I know of these shootings is from what I hear and read from the media. I do see people's Facebook status updates about these things, all in all, each and every case is horrible and sad.
Australia isn't perfect. There are still incidents of assault and murder where guns are involved. However, our last mass shooting was back in 1996, in Port Arthur, Tasmania (the Port Arthur Massacre). On the morning of April the 28th, Martin Bryant took to the streets Port Arthur armed with a Colt AR-15 SP1 .223 carbine rifle and a L1A1 SLR .308 battle rifle, murdering thirty five people and wounding twenty three more. In the end, Bryant was wounded by police and captured, leading to life imprisonment with no parole.
Since the massacre, the Australian Government has tightened control on guns, placing very high restrictions on automatic/semi-automatic rifles and shotguns and pump action shotguns as well. As I mentioned before, Australia still has unfortunate incidents involving guns but ever since the Port Arthur Massacre, we thankfully haven't had a mass shooting since. Touch wood it doesn't happen again any time soon.
I know a lot of people who are grateful for our gun laws. On the other hand, I also know people who are against it and wish to see guns back in Australia. One fella I know is very much against Australia's gun laws, wanting it to be more like the United States. When asked why, he will often say things like "Alcohol and drugs kill people too. Why aren't they banned? What about cars? Cars kill people too. Should we ban them?"
To me, that seems like a bit of an immature response. For starters, most drugs are illegal and are essentially "banned". Alcohol of course has punishment for those who might cause trouble because of alcohol induced behaviour - I got a friend who doesn't drink anymore because he's a massive tool when drunk. As for cars, the intention for cars is to transport people from A to B. We all know what the intention of a gun is.
I don't know what the "solution" is because the solution doesn't sound like an easy path. Personally, I think there should be tighter control on guns. I guess I just fail to see why people should be allowed to own and carry firearms... why would anyone be allowed to own say, an AR-15 and just keep it at home? Sometimes it makes sense, a farmer owns a property and uses a rifle to get rid of animals that may be trying to prey on their cattle, for example. But to be able to legally own a weapon and then conceal it somewhere on your body? I know you can do that with a knife, but considering a pistol can carry seven, nine or even more rounds? Well, that terrifies me.
What do you guys think? Your thoughts?
