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A lot of us have had nothing whatsoever to do with firearms in our entire lives. We are creatures of the suburbs or of the big cities... and as such, the closest we get to a gun is seeing one on a policeman's belt.

When I lived in the suburbs of the US Northeast, I had a similar perspective. Owning a gun was perceived as unsophisticated, something simply not done in polite society. Besides, we all thought, didn't we pay civil servants to provide protection for us anyway? And so on, (you can probably fill in the rest...)

It was only later that I became aware of the real statistics. Guns still find there way into "gun-free" societies. Police emergency response times almost never are fast enough to stop a crime in progress. States and counties with concealed carry laws show a marked reduction in violent crime. Women, especially benefit from concealed carry laws.

As is the case with many topics, the press tends to be one-sided on the issue of guns. I assume this may be the case down in Oz as well. You may want to read some of the data in John Lott's two books on the subject. It is possible that upon seeing some of the data on gun-ownership that you have not been exposed to, you might choose to reevaluate some of your positions on the subject.

I happen to be a proud Australian who has always believed much the same thing... and unlike the US, where I saw "I shoot and I vote" bumper stickers, showing up on polling day is compulsory in this country, and most of us don't (and didn't) carry firearms. "I vote Conservative, I don't shoot..." and nationally, we're the majority.

Does the concept of compulsory voting raise any red flags with you? Is it really a good thing for people who feel disinterested or resentful of the whole political process to vote in it? Do we believe that the compulsed voter will do the meaningful research on the issues and candidates to benefit the process, or would such voters have the lowest possible standard of responsible voting?

You have a beautiful and wonderful country, but I worry for your freedom as I do ours!

Huger ~ you're right-on about firearms here in the US ~ we have an entirely different culture than most other countries ~ especially here in the Western states.

I was raised on a (born in 1930) farm (left the farm when I was fourteen and never went back) in Southern California and started shooting when I was five, I got my first firearm on my ninth birthday and have owned them ever since. I live Oregon and we have concealed carry here, which I do.

I've talked to my Kiwi buddy: shaggy eel about this and he doesn't have much use for handguns (like Matthew Quigley) :):)

I guess it's hard for others to understand that the Right To Keep And Bear Arms is our Constitution.

All of you are welcome to drop and try out any of my firearms ~ we can go up in the hills and blast away to our hearts content.
I have an old computer that I can't (as soon as the weather gets better) wait to take up there and fill full of holes. :):)

The Second Amendment ~~
America's Original Homeland Security!