I don't really want to focus on the religious leanings of the killer. Nor do I want to argue that greater gun availability tends to lead to more gun violence. I guess people do still get killed with guns in Australia, despite the heavy restrictions. (Australia is that tiny sliver down the bottom -- it's kind of hard to see.)
No, I really just want to brag that my state, Western Australia, has implemented a crossbow ban.
WA Police Minister Rob Johnson said the new laws followed an agreement by the Australasian Police Ministers' Council that crossbows should be banned across Australia.Not only is it hard to get a gun, it's also hard to get a crossbow. And that's fine with me.
"The changes will limit the circumstances under which crossbows can be lawfully purchased," he said.
"We want to reduce the likelihood that a crossbow falls into the wrong hands and is used to injure or kill a person or animal."
The only exceptions will be genuine crossbow collectors, people engaged in crossbow events who belong to an Archery Australia club, and film producers.
I used to live in America, so the lack of reaction is puzzling to me. Where's all the hand-wringing about our right to grab a whole bunch of guns to protect ourselves from people with a whole bunch of guns? Why isn't anyone saying, "See, if you ban guns, people will pick up crossbows. What's next, a knife ban?"
Strangely, it doesn't come up. I guess we're busy with other issues besides fearing for our lives.
UPDATE: Stephanie from comments informs me that some crossbow fans are indeed chafing under the yoke of oppression. All I can say is, I'm sure glad we're having this discussion at this level, instead of further on down the track. Aren't you?
Actually, one of my friends is a big crossbow fan and enjoys using them recreationally. He's quite upset, and posted to facebook:
ReplyDelete"Better join an archery club then. Better also register as a chef before the carving knife ban."
and
"Stupid police state."
And yet, at the same time he's very keen on smoking bans?
I probably just don't know enough people.
ReplyDeleteI think a large part of the hand-wringing in America stems from gun ownership's archaic enshrinement as a constitutional right. I assume there's no similar enshrinement in Australia, and thus you have the advantage of being able to discuss gun laws more rationally than we can.
ReplyDeleteI like the last line tagged onto the press quote: "and film producers." Don't want to limit anyone from remaking Xena or another version of Robin Hood, do we?
ReplyDeleteits amazing to read your comments. A murderer can buy a car and run over innocent people. so why dont you ban cars. a psychopath can purchase gasoline and burn down a house with a family of 5 inside, so lets ban matches and gasoline. when will your people realize that murder was invented long before the gun, crossbow, machete, butterknife and even the wooden club. you cant just ban something and think that murder will go away. Its a ridiculous notion put forth by ridiculous people.
ReplyDeleteAnd Stephanie, Smoking bans and crossbow bans are apples and oranges. I've never heard of someone using a ciggarette in self defence. but a firearm and a crossbow could be used to save a life just as it can be used to take a life. a ciggarette only has negatives, no positives. to compare the two is nonsense.
ReplyDelete"Where's all the hand-wringing about our right to grab a whole bunch of guns to protect ourselves from people with a whole bunch of guns?"
ReplyDeleteIt's here Daniel:
OffTheGrid said...
"I've never heard of someone using a ciggarette in self defence. but a firearm and a crossbow could be used to save a life just as it can be used to take a life."