I was in Australia for a while shortly before 1996. One thing I noticed was that quite a few murders took place in the Sydney area (where I was).
Of course, few of those killings involved guns. But the Australians seemed to beat each other to death with golf clubs, cricket bats and chairs far more than we do here in the States.
“...But the Australians seemed to beat each other to death with golf clubs, cricket bats and chairs far more than we do here in the States....”
Aussies always seemed to me to be a more homey, personable bunch than what we have in the US. Golf clubs, cricket bats and chairs seem more sporting than a stupid gun. Especially late at night when you don’t want to disturb anyone or cause collateral damage.
There is one glaring omission in this article on the 1996 confiscations in Australia:
ALL OF THE GUNS SEIZED WERE PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED!
Let that sink in for a moment: police authorities in Down Under already knew exactly who owned what. If the owners failed to turn their guns in when ordered to do so, the police were soon at their door.
Registration IS confiscation!
Obama also seems to fail to take this into account. Background checks, assault weapon & magazine bans, mandatory stolen gun reportage, etc. are ineffectual without registration of guns & ID’ing of owners.
But even hostile state governments with FOID & registration in NY, CT, & NJ are encountering widespread civil disobedience.
Obama further fails to take into account the differing national characters of Australians (more like British) and Americans (revolted against British).
Lacking registration rolls of guns & owners, authorities attempting to randomly invade homes & seize weapons will encounter mayhem & insurrection.
If “Amish” flash mobs can be stirred up by Twitter, how about millions & millions of gun owners?
Paul Revere would wish he had Twitter. No hazardous night horseback ride necessary, just tweet out, “To arms! To arms! The British are out!”
If Obama hated “bitter clingers” in 2008, he hates them a lot worse now. Rifles are gathering behind every blade of grass.