Incorrect and sensationalised.
First, NO Edward in Australia shortens their name to "Ed". It will normally be Ted, sometimes Eddie, normally just "mate"
On a more serious note, you can always go digging to find some statistic that will support your cause. There are lots of accurate stats cherry picked in the above, but for example, trying to pick crime rates in one year in one state rather than a longer term trend in a small country can sway figures dramatically.
As a preface to what i will say, i grew up around firearms, owned numerous rifles as a kid pre 1996 changes, and now shoot competitive on a weekly basis, and own more rifles now than ever before.
A good article here
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016...-and-suicides-john-howard-port-arthur/7254880 on the changes and how it impacted crime from the government based media (left wing leaning)
What changed in 1996?
Before 1996, crime rates with firearms were already declining, homicide rates were also falling, so all stats promoted by gun control groups were going to look good with the natural decline in those crimes, and claiming it was due to gun control....
In 1996 Australia then banned all self loading firearms, pump action shotguns, kept already tight pistol controls, introduced the need for safe storage, and implemented "genuine need" requirements for all firearms, and introduwced the registration of each firearm.
What did this do? For a normal shooter, you needed to buy a gun safe, register your guns, have a "genuine need" which was: be a farmer, join a target or hunting club, get a letter from a property owner where you are allowed to shoot. You also had to show a clean criminal record , but that was the case for a license previously, it just got a bit harder and domestic violence record stopped any chance of being licensed. All of this was not too hard if you are a regular shooter, but a pain in the arse if you just had a 22 in the corner of the cupboard for the odd country trip. These second groups was were the guns came from that were handed in. those people who "just 'cause i wan a gun" no longer had access to firearms. Self defence was NOT a genuine reason to own a gun. Unfortunately the ban on self loading firearms impacted genuine shooters that had a desire, followed the laws and were generally not a danger to the community.
Handguns in australia were always tightly controlled, and this became more controlled, including the only use was at a range, or as a farmer if you got a special permit. There was no longer the ability to hunt with a handgun or just plink at tin cans on your own property. (I dont shoot pistol so my knowledge is not good here)
What changed as a result for me?
No longer could i own semi, not even a 5 shot 22 semi.
I have to apply to the government for each gun i want to buy, and register it so that i cant sell it to someone thats not licensed. Some states are quick turnaround (less than 2 days) some are running at weeks delays.
I can only transfer my guns through a dealer. I can sell privately but the transaction must be by a dealer and costs $30 or more in fees. My last purchase of a target rifle from interstate took about 6 weeks and was a painful process. Off the shelf gun from your gun shop is less of a problem.
I always had to have a license to buy a gun or ammo, so that did not change. Purchasing ammo for guns you dont own, and stockpiling large amounts of ammo can be a problem, bit i have ,000s of 22 rounds and enough components on hand to reload several more thousands so not a problem for me.
What changed in the community?
Because all (most) the 22s, shotguns, old SMLE's, etc stored behind the bedroom door were gone, suicide by firearms dropped dramatically.... a fact touted as a success by gun control groups. BUT. Suicide by other means rose sharply, and suicide overall did not change much at all.
Because the people that are less than "law abiding" no longer had legal access to guns, there were a few less domestic incidents. We all know of a bloke that lives down the road, or a "friend of a friend" that always seemed a bit dodgy and you sure as hell dont want them having easy access to guns.
Crime rates in Australia continued their previous downward trend, and thats good, but not fully linked with gun law changes.
All guns (legal) stored are now in locked safes and ammo separate, i would like to think that this has kept guns out of the hands of kids. We certainly dont hear of too many incidents of little kids picking up mum or dads gun from behind the door, their bedside table or handbag, and accidentally shooting someone (it does happen but not rarely)
What didnt change!
while it made it harder for petty criminals to get a gun, and certainly harder to get a pistol, hardcore criminals and big time gangs, drug dealers still had access to illegal guns. Thankfully, lot of these guys like to have little wars between themselves and their rival drug dealer, and they tend to just shoot themselves up.
There will always be accidental shootings, this didnt change. There will always be suicide or domestic violence with individuals, no matter how well you do background checks, but i like to think some people in Australia who might have been less mentally stable no longer have access to guns.
Crimes, break ins and armed holdups will still happen, they will just use different weapons like knives.
Would i want it to go back....... yes, just so i could own self loading rifles.... but then again, i shoot f class single shots 95% of the time. I would love not having to ask for permission to buy a new gun, firstly from the wife, then from the government. On the flip side, i feel safer knowing that a large amount of small time criminals cant get a hold of illegal weapons, not because there not there, but they are in short supply and black market guns end up too expensive for them. I do not have any fears where i live that my house will get broken into by an armed intruder, i have no need for a gun to protect myself. I have no fears that if i get into an argument with the neighbour that they are going to pull a gun on me. I have no fear that a road rage incident will end up with another driver pulling a gun on me.
Can the US do the same? I dont think so, No. You have too many guns in circulation, too many in the hands of criminals, you cant buy them all back to levels like Australia did, that makes us feel safe. As you wont be able to get guns back from crims, the average US Citizens who has a gun for self defence is not going to hand theirs in.... i wont start on your 2nd ammendment and the right to bear arms..... i know all of you on this forum will have strong opinions.
This is MY take on how the guns laws changed, with reference to published figures. It is not every Australians opinion. Politically i am very central, not left nor right. And remember, it was the right wing of Australian politics which instituted these laws, not the socialist left as you may be led to believe.
Bring on the flames...... i know lots of you, including Aussies will disagree with me, but read the entire post, put it in perspective. I shoot, i shoot regularly, the current gun laws dont restrict my sport, the local politician is our Club Patron, and we get thousands of dollars of government grants/handouts to help us run our club every year.
