On October 1 2015, Christopher Harper-Mercer, a 26-year-old student, fatally shot ten people and injured others on the campus of Umpqua Community College near Roseburg in Oregon, United States.
The mass shooting sparked the old debate in the country about gun control. The last three years have been a difficult years for the US. Mass shootings have left hundreds dead and thousands injured. And surprisingly, the country has done nothing about it.
The New York Times wrote in its editorial after the devastating massacre that “Mass shootings have become an unsurprising part of American life, with lame public rituals in which politicians express grief and then retreat quickly into denial about this scourge”.
Apart from the condemnations by some in the US about the country’s policy on guns, the issue has now gone beyond the borders of the US. Many Australians have waded into the debate, reprimanding the US for not using common sense to save lives.
The Think Progress reports that in 1996 when a gunman opened fire at a popular tourist destination on the Australian island of Tasmania, killing 35 people, the country responded swiftly by reforming its gun laws.
The country banned high powered rifles and shotguns and uniformed gun licensing requirements nationwide. The country also implemented a buyback program which resulted in the destruction of more than a million firearms. And the result is that in the last 19 years, there have been no mass shootings in the country.
Even president Obama himself acknowledged this rational policy by Australia in his emotional speech following the shooting in Oregon.
“We know that other countries, in response to one mass shooting, have been able to craft laws that almost eliminate mass shootings. Friends of ours, allies of ours — Great Britain, Australia, countries like ours. So we know there are ways to prevent it,” Obama said.
But the Australian effort was built on consensus by all stakeholders in the country. Politics never divided them. The Australians saw the issue as a basic humanitarian problem which must be eliminated with reasoning and common sense. The Australians are now voicing their disappointments in the US over how it is handling an issue which destroying lives.
The Sydney Morning Herald used its editorial page to describe the American society as immature and unable to take basic actions to save lives. The paper wrote “In his very fine speech this morning, full of sorrow and frustration, President Obama made a mistake. Australia is not like the United States. We decided not to be. We decided to grow up instead and become a more reasonable, rational society that explicitly values human life and prefers to think the best of people, rather than the worst. The US is too immature a society to be allowed to play with guns. It has never shed its Wild West mythology. Americans still use their courts to kill people, which sends a message in its own way… It’s a country that values property more than life”.
The Brisbane Times also had this to say “At Oregon last week, four guns were recovered – three pistols and a semi-automatic rifle. Did Mercer have the right to bear those arms? Yes, he did. From that question and answer flows the grim crimson tide. And from that flows, as always, the arrant nonsense from the NRA, and those of like mind, that guns are good, that guns are not the problem, that the president is politicizing the issue. He should be, indeed he has been, with limited success. However, such is the web of lobbying, money, political support and sway, interconnected with the myriad legal jurisdictions, that we despair of seeing radical progress. Yet we must condemn. America prides itself on being a light in the world for democracy and liberty. Yet within its borders it is armed to the teeth. This is a tyranny, borne on a historical anomaly, that must end. Surely, if the phrase “land of the free” stands for anything, it is the embracing of the freedom not to have to live in fear of the gun”.
Australia’s most popular news site, News.com.au suggested that it was time for America to rethink the 2nd Amendment, saying the legacy of America itself was at stake.
“You sense that President Obama’s legacy as President is on the line here. But so, too, is the legacy of America itself. America’s gun laws date back to the period in the late 1700s and the time of the War of Independence against Britain. It’s in this long gone era that the second amendment to the constitution was passed — an amendment which permitted and today still permits gun ownership to all. This archaic law is viewed as sacrosanct by some, but Mr Obama clearly believes it must be challenged”, the news site said.
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Another great country were firearms are banned is Mexico. Mass shootings are almost daily.
True
I’m sorry but there is always some nut in a crowd of 8 people. Gun laws will not work and no we do not need to take the guns from people and no we do not touch the constitution period! How about Australia sits the hell back and mind their own business. No law can stop a person to buy a gun especially in the black market. Guess what our government floods the black market so do you see my point? Anyways when someone has a thought to do something especially quiet like this nut job done there is no law no nothing that could have stopped him. Why? Because no one knew. These things happen and you idiots want to blame gun control or this and that to think we do not have the rights to carry bitch sit back shut the fuck up I am so damned tired of people crying like little bitches and blame anything they can besides the boy lost a lot of screws and flipped. Australia stay the fuck out of our business and go play hide and seek with your pet kangaroo
Congratulations Michael, you won the prize for the stupid, childlike but sadly predictable response. You are an idiot.
Thank you, now everyone can see this fantastic piece of evidence of the type of mentality that stalemates any progress in order to keep their fun toys.
FACT: Mexico has mass daily shootings that are caused by cartel who are only in business to support your countries drug habits.
FACT: This could have been avoided if someone who was obviously a danger to society wasn’t allowed to have a gun. The biggest problems with guns is they give people this false sense of power, which is possibly the primary reason why people like yourself even want them in the first place; To compensate for your own feelings of inferiority and weakness. That false sense of power is a very dangerous thing, as we can see.
FACT: Australia has crazy people too, but they aren’t allowed to have guns. that seems like a pretty smart move.
FACT: It just points out how weak your arguments when you start calling people idiots and trying to enforce stereotypical ideas that are widely known to be false.
For the love of humanity dude, help to change your laws. it’s ridiculous.
You’re putting your want for shiny bang bang things over your empathy for other peoples lives.
+1. You said it all.
The difference is that we don’t accept the power being exerted over us by the criminals in power with the slave-like complacency you all appear to express.
Your “FACT” about the cartel only being in business to support their drug habits needs some clarification. The cartels exist because of laws that prohibit legal and regulated (i.e. safe) access to some drugs and not others. The fact that humans will always use drugs is actually irrelevant in determining whether it’ll be a cartel; corporation or corner shop that sells drugs to people.
Government policy is what creates the cartels, just like US Gov’t policy (1920-33) created Al Capone; there’s no difference today with illegal drugs.
The government floods the black market…
Then use your guns for the reason the 2nd amendment was designed for, if that is true now is the time.
There will always be those that come out of the woodwork, no priors, and stab or blow up people etc. But guns is too damned easy. I see an 8 year old girl got shot by her 11 year old neighbour in an argument over a ball this week. Wonder how their folks feel about right to bear arms. From experience, don’t let your empathy come out of hindsight. Until it happens to your family you will never know.
We still live some fear of someone kicking off, starting fights, attacking, mugging, etc. It doesn’t cure the world, not having guns. But it means a black eye over a hole in the heart.
How about America stays the hell out of the rest of the world’s business.. Not all of us here in Oz like our gun laws, Port Arthur was a false flag event, poor Martin Briant didn’t do it.. It’s only our media sheep that agree with the laws and you are basing your opinion on what “owned” media propagates
An American telling other countries to mind their own business. So ironic. Haha.
people are shooting up shit because they are sick of the bs. The problem is not guns, nor is it the people utilizing them. The problem is the abusive, degrading nature that has become the face of your average american. You exploit and extort and destroy. How the fuck do you think a persons going to react!?!
Stupid. Ignorant. Dumbasses!
Typical trite argument from the pro gun lobby. I am from Australia and I don’t fear walking down the road or even think I need a gun in my own home for self defence because I DON’T NEED IT. I travelled through Europe with a group of Americans 2 years ago and had a couple of interesting discussions on gun control. On each occasion I asked if they had brought their guns. Both said “no”. I asked if they felt safe. Both said “yes”. I then asked “Do you think it’s just America then?” Funny about the silence which followed.
Michael, you see the problem? It’s right there, in your response. The attitude. The indignation. The selfishness.
Australians for the most part, are busy living the life. Occasionally, events from overseas filter through that leave us all shocked and in disbelief. Mass shootings in the USA, unfortunately, are starting to come about more and more often. But you seem happy with how things are. Interesting.
I’m more than happy to face some lunatic on a rampage wielding a knife. Much better odds of overpowering him rather than if he has an assault rifle or a small arsenal of weapons.
That’s how we like it over here in the Land Down Under… laid back, chilled out and free of fear. Except the sharks,but we all love surfing and our beach culture too much to stop our enjoyment of it. Kind of how you seppos are about your guns.
Give me the beach any day…
Many Americans think they are smarter than everyone else. They are also very proud, too proud. The magnificent ego “America” is duplicitous. Too big to hear anyone else, too small to hear themselves. Their false selves are holding on for dear life that they are right. But they are not right, they are dead wrong. There is so much wrong with the USA that it makes us think that it is beyond repair. Governments owe and are owned by big corporations and can no longer stand for the people and unless they change their laws regarding lobbyists and “donations to political parties” (corruption), things can never change. They go to war for deceitful reasons and are willing to destroy neighbouring cultures to pay their debt to the corporate giants. The world is not blind any more. We see you for who you are and it is not pretty. You are not the World Police, you are the Tyrants and I hope that the sane people within can change that before someone else does. Wake Up America, you are not who you think you are.
If the thing is run by tyrants, why do you think they thought it would be a good idea for us to keep our guns while the rest of the world is disarmed?
If the thing is run by tyrants, why would you let them disarm you?
When are you people going to get it, it is not a gun problem, but a mental HEALTH problem. People can make guns in their garages or heck, print them out on a 3D printer. You really think banning guns is going to help?
The problem is mental health. All you libtards wanted to do away with insane asylums and now all the crazies are running free in the streets. Not only that, when someone does have a mental problem, we treat them for three days and release them and hope they take their meds that they usually cannot afford or who do not have the mental faculties to stay on their meds.
It is like saying all cars should be banned because people get in there and drive drunk/text and kill other people. But of course, no one wants cars banned because that is inconvenient to THEIR lifestyle. They don’t care about guns being banned because as per the course with humans, they are selfish twats who do not care about inconveniencing others so long as it doesn’t affect them.
Enjoy educating yourself Tina:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGY6DqB1HX8
Yes it is a mental problem but also gun problem you idiot. In every single country, there are always mentally ill people. Ask yourself then. Why does only the US see this mass shooting every several months while most of the countries don’t?
Seriously, you compare this issue to car? That’s exactly how your brain is malfunctioning. Cars are necessary while guns are not. How the hell is your life affected by not owning a gun. A similar argument can be asked in the other way. You guys are so desperate to have freedom to own guns. Then why don’t you protest in the same way for the enforced seat belt law? Why should the government ban individuals to own nuclear weapons? Isn’t it the freedom that you are crying for crazy?
You call we are selfish? Hah! How much is your brain fucked up? Just because you idiots insist the freedom to own guns, a countless number of people are getting killed by guns every year. I wouldn’t say you are selfish. You are just psychopath who are enjoying to see people slaughters which is the cost of keeping your evil hobby.
The problem is related to the high degree of inequality in the country and creeated by the system and its institutions, itself and on purpose.
ya look at Australia they killed way way over 1000 of its own citizens taking their guns away , now only the criminals have guns over there the military weapons types that is , people over there can own shotguns and pistols tho look into it all the Prozac pill heads are doing the killing in usa its the drugs man the drugs
deano your comment is so littered with inaccuracies that it’s embarrassing for yourself. Please stick to the facts. If you’re a drug user; you need to stop talking about it as you’ll tarnish the reputation of other drug users.
look at us in the UK.. we are fine
No Guns just pure fists and the occasional crowbar or machete
Fuck Guns.. Guns are for pussys, anyone can pull a trigger
Get rid of guns from public and police i say.
Then again.. the countries fucked, so you might need them in the civil war ha
A country of slaves to ninnies
my company promised raises in Jan. In sept they said sorry cant do it. Said i’d get a bonus then taxed 85% of it leaving me 200 over what they said they were giving. Yes this country is giving jobs to other countries, screwing the elderly, veterans, making it difficult for people who have mental health issues yet to get a gun unless you committed a crime all you do is take a stupid little test. how many go on to educate themselves from there. They dont teach in these classes what guns / bullets will do, sure we all know they kill but they dont get into the emotions of it. If I do remember some reading right there was a mass killing in Aus by knife. if someone is going to do it they will find a way. If you want to change laws change them about education.
Make it mandatory to take an ethics class before the license class so they understand exactly all the consequences. have a psychologist come up with an exam for the ethics class. Pull out the weeds. Ya some people would get burned and maybe they can be given a one on one with the psych. Someone even said a kid on a playground threw a rock so we gave everyone a rock to through because only a good kid with a rock can stop a bad kid with a rock, if i’m correct there Kain killed Able with a rock. So maybe we should all just have our food delivered by special service people and just sit our asses at home.
education is a big thing here for the good people cause the bad are never going to do it. so take away our guns, thats one less armed good person capable of stopping something cause if this kid didnt have a gun he’d have found a way to get one if he really wanted to do this and apparently he did
Look at america’s deaths per year due to homicide or just in general and then compare it to ANY other first world country…
America = 11,000 deaths per year
England = 500 deaths per year
those are only two examples but there are loads, so you can take that gun laws don’t work BS and shove it up your arse you freedom loving gun nuts.
what are you going to do when your government fails and the shit hits the historical fans sheeple
They will write angry letters to their leaders and then amass in a predetermined place and time to shake their fists at them.
Oh, I’m sorry. Did the UKs population explode by a factor of 5 and I missed it? You have to take in to account the difference of population, poverty rates, population density, the fact that there are more Mentally unstable people per capita, etc. Your comparison holds no basis on JUST the amount of deaths.
Get the facts and look at it with your eyes wide. There’s more to it than just the difference in death tolls.
Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Definition of militia:
1. a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies. 2. a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
3. all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
4. a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.
Do i need to say anything else?
Tim: It’s an amendment; you do understand the definition of the word, right? Just in case you don’t, it means a change, just like a change could be made today regarding the same topic…
Go fuck a Koala, mates.
To all Aussies giving us their views on our gun issues I thank all of you. Now go fuck a Koala, mates.
Beastiality isn’t my thing… how come you’ve got weird stuff like that on your mind?
I have said this in other articles and I will say it here. Hunting for food is a just enough cause to not force the populous to give up guns. I live in an area with quite a few families that rely on hunting as their main provider of meat for the year. Without this option, they would be unable to feed there families and still get all the necessities other than food. I honestly do not care what other countries feel about our gun laws. Does their need to be changes, sure I can agree with that, but they should not and I hope WILL NOT be the types of laws that they employ. I have known a few C&C holders that actually stopped a potential shooting because they were packing their weapon and pulled it on the potential shooter. There’s no way to know if the guy would have actually killed but I would rather someone be around willing to take a stand and prevent us from knowing that. There are so many angles we can go at this from and honestly I do not agree with AUS laws on guns from my understanding of them. Same with the UK and other similar countries.
What a load of crap ,we aussies want our guns back as we are getting taken over by the bank cartel who have made it into our government.Turnbull the new leader is a Jew banker that still works for goldman sach and has changed every law including the one were banks can keep your deeds after you pay your mortgage out, or even trade your property on the stock market with out your permission.