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Australia 'won't go down gun path'
news.com.au ^

Posted on 10/29/2002 9:03:00 AM PST by chance33_98


Australia 'won't go down gun path'
October 29, 2002

AUSTRALIA would not follow the lead of the United States where everyone had the right to own a gun, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

Most Australians hated guns, Mr Howard said.

He promised to do everything in his power to rid the nation of handguns, except for legitimate sporting shooters, security, the military and police.

Mr Howard was responding to a a Newspoll survey which found 83 per cent of people supported moves to invoke stricter laws controlling handguns.

Only 12 per cent of those surveyed were against tougher controls on handguns. Five per cent were uncommitted.

"I don't need a poll to tell me that Australians hate guns in the main," Mr Howard told reporters in Mexico City.

"We're prepared to have exceptions for legitimate sporting shooting pursuits, and the sporting shooters of Australia are generally very responsible people but, apart from that, people see no reason why the ordinary citizen should carry a gun and neither do I.

"I feel very strongly about this.

"And I've watched the way America has gone and we have an opportunity at least to try and not go down that path."

He said he would do everything he could to ensure Australia didn't follow the lead of the US.

"I mean I may fail but I make no apologies because I feel very strongly about it, and I think people all over the country do," Mr Howard said.

"You only have to look at the availability of guns in the US and it was never tackled years ago in that country, and now it's too late and there are consequences."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aussielist; banglist
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1 posted on 10/29/2002 9:03:00 AM PST by chance33_98
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To: chance33_98
Uh,huh. Another idiot heard from.
2 posted on 10/29/2002 9:06:04 AM PST by ozzymandus
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To: *bang_list

3 posted on 10/29/2002 9:07:51 AM PST by Joe Brower
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To: chance33_98
"You only have to look at the availability of guns in the US and it was never tackled years ago in that country, and now it's too late and there are consequences."

Yep...consequences. Didn't one Japanese Admiral warn against an invasion of America in WW2 because of those crazy armed Americans?

It will be interesting to see how Australia reacts as Islamics take over the Northern Territory and make it their own.
4 posted on 10/29/2002 9:07:59 AM PST by TomGuy
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To: chance33_98
Wow ... I just could'nt imagine living in a Country where I was'nt allowed to own a gun.
5 posted on 10/29/2002 9:09:09 AM PST by SouthernFreebird
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To: chance33_98
Well, on the plus side, they'll provide a great example of what will happen to a nation that bans guns. We're seeing it alrady in England; this will provide more proof.
6 posted on 10/29/2002 9:10:07 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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To: chance33_98
AUSTRALIA would not follow the lead of the United States where everyone had the right to own a gun, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

It is much better to follow the lead of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, China, Pol Pot's Cambodia, North Korea, sad etc.

7 posted on 10/29/2002 9:10:19 AM PST by 2banana
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To: chance33_98
AUSTRALIA would not follow the lead of the United States where everyone had the right to own a gun, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

It is much better to follow the lead of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, China, Pol Pot's Cambodia, North Korea, sad etc.

8 posted on 10/29/2002 9:15:49 AM PST by 2banana
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To: chance33_98
AUSTRALIA would not follow the lead of the United States where everyone had the right to own a gun, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

If everyone in the US has the right to own a gun, how come I can't get one unless I can convince my local police chief that I have a "compelling need" for one?

9 posted on 10/29/2002 9:17:57 AM PST by Maceman
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To: chance33_98
The Australians are acting like Morrises.
10 posted on 10/29/2002 9:20:43 AM PST by Caesar Soze
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To: chance33_98
I guess he means he wants to go down that "other" path - the one that leads to a police state and tyranny. And on the way, a steady rise in crime, violence, chaos and anarchy. A disarmed citizenry is prey for criminals and criminal governments alike. History is rife with examples. I guess Mr. Howard has nothing but contempt for the average Aussie citizen. Well, a pox on him.
11 posted on 10/29/2002 9:24:17 AM PST by 45Auto
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To: chance33_98
Its not suprising that politicians will feed the hysteria of the gullible in order to make the world safer - for politicians.
12 posted on 10/29/2002 9:29:01 AM PST by 45Auto
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To: chance33_98
Gonna be fun when the Islamic wackos start picking off aussies.... Your island nor your deserts will protect you.
13 posted on 10/29/2002 9:30:32 AM PST by HamiltonJay
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To: chance33_98
From Australia Authorizes Army to Shoot Civilians :

"Having disarmed its citizens of lawfully owned firearms, the government of Australia has now passed the Defense Legislation Amendment Bill 2000 (Aid to Civilian Authorities) which gives the Australian army the authority to use "reasonable and necessary force" to suppress civilian unrest. The definition of "reasonable and necessary force," it goes without saying, is left up to the government."

"The bill grants the army authority to enter buildings without a warrant, cordon off areas, erect barricades and stop vehicles to search them without a warrant. The bill specifically authorized the army to use lethal force against civilians when there are "reasonable ground," a condition that the government decides."

"It has now been three years since Australia outlawed semi auto shotguns and rifles, Since that time over 650,000 firearms banned by the government has been rounded up and destroyed. But is Australia any safer? Homicides have increase 3.2%, assaults have jumped 8.6%, and burglaries have skyrocketed to 44%."

14 posted on 10/29/2002 9:37:41 AM PST by freeeee
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To: freeeee
Hey, he left an opening - he included legitimate sporting shooters in the category that could have guns - maybe the whole country will take up sport shooting...
15 posted on 10/29/2002 9:44:21 AM PST by trebb
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To: SouthernFreebird
Wow ... I just could'nt imagine living in a Country where I was'nt allowed to own a gun.

Just sit still for a few years, you'll be in one.

16 posted on 10/29/2002 9:48:47 AM PST by Protagoras
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To: Joe Brower; *Aussie_list
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list
17 posted on 10/29/2002 9:51:58 AM PST by Free the USA
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To: chance33_98
Australia 'won't go down gun path'

Fine. Go down Sitting Duck path. Quack!

18 posted on 10/29/2002 9:52:07 AM PST by A_perfect_lady
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To: robertpaulsen
Sorry for my ignorance. What exactly is happening in England?
19 posted on 10/29/2002 10:01:13 AM PST by blondekates
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Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


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