Mark _australia said...but 10,000 SKS semi-auto's were not.

10K is the lowest figure I have ever heard- due to the customs system back in those days, there is a vast difference in what the govt. admits to and what is still out there.
The import paperwork back then would list 1 item. 1 item could be a single firearm, a case of a dozen, a pallet- or a whole consignment.

Due to trade between the states being guaranteed as unrestricted by our constitution, "Farmer Joe" or "Bikie Bob" anywhere in Australia could pick up the phone, quote a credit card number and buy 1, or 2, or as many SKS rifles (or any type of weapon) as he wanted, and as much ammo as they felt and it would be delivered to them- no questions asked.

Farmers and station owners and pig hunters loved these comblok rifles, cheap ($120 thereabouts) reliable, sturdy, effective on all our feral vermin at the appropriate ranges, ammo was dirt cheap- if you bought it by the case it was close to the price of .22 ammo! (5 cents per bullet) if the rifle did break- just chuck it in the dam and buy another!

Eastern states rifle club target shooters loved them- low recoil, not as noisy as the .303's/ SLR's/ mausers/ 30-06's etc, cheap to run, great for service rifle class target shooting at a fraction of the price of any other military type target rifle they used. Many used them as a modern replacement for the old .310 cadet rifles that our army cadets used to have. Lighter framed members and trainees were taught with them as they were simple to use, and with the low recoil and cost they could be trained without breaking either their bank or shoulder. For example- good quality .303 ammo was around 90 cents a shot back then- compared to 5 cents for 7.62 x 39mm.

Western Australian shooters could not legally own these rifles- but we had one benefit, worn out .303 rifles could be converted to use the russian/ chinese 7.62 x 39mm ammo- so we could buy ammo dirt cheap from the eastern states and use it for short range target shooting and training of cadets, youth groups and new members.

Unfortunately though, "Bikie Bob" loved them too as they were readily available, regarded as cheap, disposable and perfect for thier turf wars- if the police found one so what- they have probably got dozens more buried somewhere [}:)]

When the "buybacks" and bans hit, it only affected those who had gone through the hoops to get licences and permits.
Unfortunately, for some reason criminals dont tend to worry about the legal paperwork too much.

stephen

rod_bunny said...

Beaglebuddy said...
And actually we are the brightest bunch on the planet, who invented the nuclear bomb (Germans, A kiwi was the first to split an atom), put a man on the moon (No one has been - its a conspiracy), invented the computer (A Brit), internet (Darpa... then the WWW was a Brit), windsurfer on and on.

Putting all your technology and military spend on credit with the rest of the world is hardly sporting is it?

Factually incorrect, the a bomb was first made in the USA by the Manhattan project, the first home computer was of course made by Apple and the internet was invented by the US department of Defense, but it's a silly argument because nearly every important invention in the last 100 years did of course come from America.

Juddy said...

Guns & the good ol' US of A. Jesus wept…..

The American constitution was written in the 1780's & came into effect in 1789 – about 223 years ago. Written at a time when the US was at war, without a formal military as such. That wonderful (insert sarcasm symbol here) amendment allowing the 'right to bear arms' & a regulated militia etc was appropriate at that time. I question its appropriateness now.

If shootin' is your thing so be it. At one level, I can appreciate the technical aspects of shootin' & huntin', it's certainly not something I'm interested in. Yes, I've fired a couple of handguns & gone hunting rabbits & roos, but not an everyday thing for a city boy like me. The idea of spending an afternoon at Swanbourne rifle range (or where ever) is about as exciting as watching grass grow IMO.

I can appreciate (but not necessary agree it's 'necessary') that many US citizens might own a hand gun arguing 'personal protection'. I can understand the huntin' brigade owning a rifle or two, a shotgun or two for duck huntin' & for farmers to own guns as working tools.

Short of being in a war zone, what the **** does anyone do with semi-automatic weapons? What's the “need” to own a MAC 10, or a Street sweeper, or an AK47 – or insert semi-automatic weapon of choice? Owning a .50 Cal sniper rifle is a “right”? We've all heard the line “with rights come responsibilities” – but seriously, America it's time to grow up.

The yanks fought for their liberty 220 odd years ago. They won. So get over it. It's time for America to build a bridge & move on from that. America's ongoing reliance on this argument about 'liberty being at risk if I give up my gun(s)' is a sign of their national immaturity IMO.

Until they are prepared to address the issues about access to & ownership of guns, the US will continue to have incidents like Colombine, like the movie cinema…and they will have no one to blame but themselves.

My mother was Australian so half my family is Australian, I have interest in both countries but firstly I am an American.
I wouldn't comment on the internal politics of another country unless they were threatening us, so if gun control works for you lot that's your business, you are a different type of country.
To try and interpret our constitution, really you have no idea.
Our constitution was written specifically in a way that guarded against people trying to change it later because a certain group gains power or a political wind is blowing a certain direction. People on the left talk about a "living constitution" meaning they want to change it but this is specifically what our founders did not want. The power of our Federal government was specifically limited and balanced against the power of the states to try and prevent the tyranny of an over reaching totalitarian government.
America is the land of the free and if they took our guns away they would have the ability to do whatever they wanted to us, it has to do with a balance of power.

cisco said...

Beaglebuddy said...
One thing is certain, Americans of all political perspectives are not looking for sympathy from any people in any other country.
We have a problem but we will deal with it ourselves without any outside interference.
And actually we are the brightest bunch on the planet, who invented the nuclear bomb, put a man on the moon, invented the computer, internet, windsurfer on and on.

And Yuri Gugarin was the first man in outer space.

You are only the "Fastest Gun in the West" until you come up against someone faster.

America and Americans are GREAT, just like Australia and Australians are GREAT.

Spouting off about how good you are is not a recommended strategy in Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People".

The friendship of Australia and the U.S. of America is historic and I believe of greater benefit to both countries than either of their friendships with Britain.

I don't recall any big favours Britain gave Australia or America.

The "Labor Movement" owes much to the American influence in it's formation hence the American spelling of the word "Labor", a fact loggy would rather ignore.

But loggy is "New Labor", Greg Combet/Sarah Hanson Young style or is he "Old Labour", Scottish and Welsh, Doug Cameron/Jew-liar Gillard, back in the auld coal mine style??

He is certainly not grass roots "Australian Labor" style and would have no idea what Henry Lawson wrote about.

So Beaglebuddy, don't get jerked off about what some here are saying but it probably wouldn't hurt if you pulled your own horns in a little too.

Just responding to attacks that Americans are not bright, not spouting off, just responding to attacks.

Beaglebuddy you have been listening to too much Alex Jones and the lizard man David Icke.

Listen to CNN or FOX news if you want to hear the truth

Worlds smartest country

worrier said...

I apologise for my comment on not being the brightest bunch but faark me you dont half make yourselves vulnerable to such attacks when some clown shoots up a cinema and then this happens.

"Data released by Colorado's Bureau of Investigations shows just before the shooting there were 880 applications for gun ownership background checks.

The day after, that number had jumped to 1,243.

From an outsiders point of veiw that is just madness. You said Americans will solve the problem themselves, FFS nearly doubling the amount of guns in the same cinema is gonna solve the problem?
Again sorry for insulting your intelegence but the American peoples solution is obviously not working? Good luck with it man.
W

No the point is, there was no guns in the cinema except the madman's one.
Maybe one of the 1243 people will see a nutter start waving a gun one day and when he lets off a round they give him a lead headache.

I'd rather have 90% of nice people carrying a gun, than 90% of crooks with one, and that's what australia has now.

Mark _australia said...

worrier said...

I apologise for my comment on not being the brightest bunch but faark me you dont half make yourselves vulnerable to such attacks when some clown shoots up a cinema and then this happens.

"Data released by Colorado's Bureau of Investigations shows just before the shooting there were 880 applications for gun ownership background checks.

The day after, that number had jumped to 1,243.

From an outsiders point of veiw that is just madness. You said Americans will solve the problem themselves, FFS nearly doubling the amount of guns in the same cinema is gonna solve the problem?
Again sorry for insulting your intelegence but the American peoples solution is obviously not working? Good luck with it man.
W

No the point is, there was no guns in the cinema except the madman's one.
Maybe one of the 1243 people will see a nutter start waving a gun one day and when he lets off a round they give him a lead headache.

I'd rather have 90% of nice people carrying a gun, than 90% of crooks with one, and that's what australia has now.

At least here, in Australia we can walk down our streets and feel safe. I have spoken to many people that have been to the US and say that they really didnt feel safe on the street. I would rather our gun laws than theirs Mark.

I wouldn't feel 100% safe walking around in Sydney, or living in the suburbs at present.

Were the people you spoke to Aussies, or Americans? All of the yanks I've spoken to don't feel afraid to walk streets or threatened by potential gun violence...

Doug Cameron/Jew-liar Gillard,.....I feel a new conspiracy theory coming on!

lachlan3556 said...

I wouldn't feel 100% safe walking around in Sydney, or living in the suburbs at present.

Were the people you spoke to Aussies, or Americans? All of the yanks I've spoken to don't feel afraid to walk streets or threatened by potential gun violence...

Have you lived in Sydney, it's a big place.

Im hearin all the arguments I just can't get my head around how more guns out there makes it safer.
I know statistics can be a bit misleading but one I saw many years ago I think after the Columbine massacre was that if you own a gun it has a 99% more chance of being used against a direct member of your family than a self defence incidence. That sorta means suicides/ kids accidently shooting themselves/ murder suicides etc.
Im in the Philippines and they have a gun culture similar to the US and it is a scary place and you sort of realise how cheap life is and how quick it ends.
W

doggie said...

Mark _australia said...

worrier said...

I apologise for my comment on not being the brightest bunch but faark me you dont half make yourselves vulnerable to such attacks when some clown shoots up a cinema and then this happens.

"Data released by Colorado's Bureau of Investigations shows just before the shooting there were 880 applications for gun ownership background checks.

The day after, that number had jumped to 1,243.

From an outsiders point of veiw that is just madness. You said Americans will solve the problem themselves, FFS nearly doubling the amount of guns in the same cinema is gonna solve the problem?
Again sorry for insulting your intelegence but the American peoples solution is obviously not working? Good luck with it man.
W

No the point is, there was no guns in the cinema except the madman's one.
Maybe one of the 1243 people will see a nutter start waving a gun one day and when he lets off a round they give him a lead headache.

I'd rather have 90% of nice people carrying a gun, than 90% of crooks with one, and that's what australia has now.

At least here, in Australia we can walk down our streets and feel safe. I have spoken to many people that have been to the US and say that they really didnt feel safe on the street. I would rather our gun laws than theirs Mark.

I don't really think 'feeling safe' counts. What is helpful is to know real crime stats. And Australia and Britain with heavy gun control have much higher rates of home burglary, stealing cars and offences against people (like some categories of assault) than the USA.

Beaglebuddy said...

You will be wishing they didn't ban guns when;
1. Someone or a gang with a gun or even a knife breaks into your home and assaults you and your family.
2. Well into the future during a breakdown of civilized society a roving mob comes to your house and tries to take all your stuff and assault you and your family and the police seem to be busy elsewhere.
3. In the future the government tells you that because you are a certain ethnic group that has economically exploited another ethic group your family and most of those in your town are required to relinquish your homes to the disenfranchised ethnic group.
4. Because someone from your ethnic group has killed someone from another ethnic group it must be made even, a random lottery has determined that your family is required to surrender one member for extermination.
5. Because a neighbor has informed the regime that you have made subversive comments you and your family are required to report to a re-education camp.
6. It has been determined that too many male babies are being born, therefore you are required to surrender your son for sex reassignment surgery.

Sound really far fetched?
Well all of the above have already happened excepting the last one... as of now.

Are you talking about the taking of the Indian Nations or the Palestinian people?

As for the last one, maybe Warren Beatty and Annette Benning need a gun then?

Beaglebuddy said...

You will be wishing they didn't ban guns when;
1. Someone or a gang with a gun or even a knife breaks into your home and assaults you and your family.
2. Well into the future during a breakdown of civilized society a roving mob comes to your house and tries to take all your stuff and assault you and your family and the police seem to be busy elsewhere.
3. In the future the government tells you that because you are a certain ethnic group that has economically exploited another ethic group your family and most of those in your town are required to relinquish your homes to the disenfranchised ethnic group.
4. Because someone from your ethnic group has killed someone from another ethnic group it must be made even, a random lottery has determined that your family is required to surrender one member for extermination.
5. Because a neighbor has informed the regime that you have made subversive comments you and your family are required to report to a re-education camp.
6. It has been determined that too many male babies are being born, therefore you are required to surrender your son for sex reassignment surgery.

Sound really far fetched?
Well all of the above have already happened excepting the last one... as of now.

You sir are on drugs