Edit. I had a link to a web article. Somehow a dupe post came up. I edited the second post, and the first one somehow had the same change. Operator error. We'll see it it does that again.
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They had their guns taken away, and now the .guv can say this:
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/n...itizens-notice-all-undergo-mandatory-covid-19
They had their guns taken away, and now the .guv can say this:
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/n...itizens-notice-all-undergo-mandatory-covid-19
By the way, apart from farmers and feral pest exterminators no one needs a gun in Australia.
The thread's about vaccination, I only commented about guns because the thread starter seems to feel sorry that most Australians don't own them. I am really happy that there are few guns in our society, but I don't think many Americans will understand that view.no one there uses them for sport? no target shooters? no hunting? violence has been eradicated? no home invasions? rapes? assaults? self defense has been outlawed? i don't buy it...
The thread's about vaccination, I only commented about guns because the thread starter seems to feel sorry that most Australians don't own them. I am really happy that there are few guns in our society, but I don't think many Americans will understand that view.
I think the word you didn't notice was "need". There are target/sports shooters of course. Feral animals are a huge problem and there are licensed hunters. Farmers need them for the same reason.
Of course there is still violence but for the most part Australia is relatively peaceful. Gun ownership and the right to bear arms has never been part of our constitution. The more guns in society, the more problems, although no doubt people will disagree.
And I should know better than mentioning guns on an international forum full of US citizens. Last time I did this I swear I got stalked by about 20 likely NRA members."no doubt people will disagree". yeah, we're bad for that. but one does not need to be disagreeable to disagree. i see points made on both sides of this argument when it crops up. i always go with the side of freedom...if the evidence ever amounts to more on the other side, i am capable of reassessing my position. not seeing it yet.
And I should know better than mentioning guns on an international forum full of US citizens. Last time I did this I swear I got stalked by about 20 likely NRA members.
You've hit the nail on the head when you talk of historical differences. We never had a war of independence. The 2nd amendment was no doubt seen as necessary at the time in US history. The George Washington quote last page was certainly relevant in it's historical context.As an American commenting on Australian politics.....
Australian government officials don't seem as hell-bent on controlling as much of the citizens' lives as American politicians do. I could be wrong, of course. Probably am.....
But, in my view, our (the US) 2nd Amendment were rights guaranteed to us, the citizen, as to deter from government overreach. (Which WAS a problem when we were governed by the British) Where as, Australia was founded as, more or less, a prison colony for British rule, so, of course, they were not allowed such (gun) rights. If they were, their conditions might have started out a bit better if there were some that could fight fire with fire, if you will.
Not to mention in WWII, the Japanese felt a ground assault on America was a "bad idea" because, their documented thoughts were "In America, behind every blade of grass, there is a gun." (proven history)
As we see in many countries, when the populous forms no credible resistance, the government sees that as opportunity for overreach. For example, I think situations would be different in, say, Venezuela, or North Korea, or even Russia, if everyone had a protected right to own firearms if they chose to do so.
While its admirable that Australia and New Zealand can (appear to) hold it together and their politicians don't seem to overreach, there is nothing guaranteeing the citizenry that it wont happen in the future. If they choose to do so, they have no real ability for the people to stop them. They have all the weapons.
To me, with the problems that guns cause in America, the WIDE majority of gun owners are law abiding and upstanding people.
The world only hears about the bad ones.
Just some thoughts from an American. Your opinions, of course, will vary, with countries of origin.
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" i always go with the side of freedom....
You've hit the nail on the head when you talk of historical differences. We never had a war of independence. The 2nd amendment was no doubt seen as necessary at the time in US history. The George Washington quote last page was certainly relevant in it's historical context.
The majority of gun owners here are also law abiding citizens. There was a major crack down on guns following an infamous massacre. A gun buy back scheme followed and it seems most Australians support this. Today it's pretty hard to get a gun license, but of course there are guns on the black market..
I think it was last year that an Australian citizen moved over to neighbouring New Zealand to commit a massacre because he had difficulty getting the guns here. At least that's my understanding.
nra members are pussies who represent firearms owners about as well as republicans/democrats do upholding freedom/the Constitution.
You are right in that if people really want to do harm they will find a way. The thing that kicked off the gun clampdown was the Port Arthur Massacre (at a famous historical site). The thing that got me was the speed with which this happened. You could argue that if citizens had guns this could have been halted earlier, however I'm not convinced. My understanding is that the sort of weapon he used is completely banned now. An exert from an article about it;That's fine. If the majority of people support it, that's the power of democracy. I respect their (your) power to do so.
Albeit, I may not agree. Massacres are stopped (or deterred) by people with guns, so, its a bit of a catch-22 situation. I pray the people of Australia are not put into any positions that make them regret that choice. But, again, I pray the Aussies stay peaceful and unimpeded in their quest for the society they want to live in. Hell, I admire that.
Therein lies the issue. If people are hell-bent on doing harm, they will find a way to do so.
Good conversation, so far. Its rare we have such discussions without the hard-cores from either fringe getting involved.
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