Please don't keep regurgitating this misinformation. It is complete cr*p. It
is also
the 4th or 5th time this stuff has been posted to the spridget list --
enough is
enough for heavens' sake.
For the record, the banning of semi-automatics and the gun buyback has not
had any
significant effect (positive or negative) on rates of violent crime. The
banning of
semi-automatics has *not* had the effect that the NRA propaganda claims it
has had.
Again, for the record, it is still relatively easy to get a gun licence and
keep
rifles - a 2hr lecture, simple written safety test, and you have your
licence.
The change was that ownership of semi-automatic and automatic weapons is now
highly
restricted.
Our gun murder rate is approx 1 death per annum for every 300,000 people.
What is it
in the US?
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of NewNGsInfo@cs.com
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 1:05 PM
To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: The Gun debate
Ed Chenel, a police officer in Australia asked that this be put on all
lists.
> > > > > > > > > >
Hi Yanks, I thought you all would like to see the real figures from Down
Under. It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced
by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by our
own government, a program costing Australian taxpayers more than $500
million dollars.
> > > > > > > > > >
The first year results are now 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 alone homicides with firearms are now up
300 percent. (Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the
criminals did not and the criminals still possess their guns!)
> > > > > > > > > >
While figures over the past 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed
robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12
months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the
elderly.
> > > > > > > > > >
Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has
decreased after such a monumental effort and expense was expended in
successfully ridding Australian society of guns.
> > > > > > > > > >
You won't see this data on the American evening news or hear your governor
or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information.
> > > > > > > > > >
The Australian experience proves it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens
save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect only the
law-abiding citizens. Take note Americans, before it is too late!
Any debate from down under or otherwise is suspect (no -- read that
welcome -
honest).
John
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/spridgets
|