A question for Autrailians from a curious American Mate

See - here is one of the fundamental differences between American culture and Australian culture

We believe in Murphy



Although I prefer the more academic "The perversity of the universe tends to a maximum". We KNOW that unless we are wearing a gun 24/7 then the time we would need it is when it would not be available. This means to be ever ready one must be ever ready - and THAT is waaaaay way too much trouble for most of us

 

If I was quite infirm, elderly, frail and feeble, a sidearm might be a bit much.

 

We've hit the American/Australian language barrier then.

This is what I mean:

gun
ɡʌn/
noun
1.
a weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are propelled by explosive force, typically making a characteristic loud, sharp noise.

 

What has the UK got to do with my reply?
If you don't see the increase in armor and firepower and change in tactics in the US State Police then you must be too close to it to notice.

 

You are talking about a country here where it is too hot to wear anything but the minimum. Why carry around extra weight and bother if you are never going to need it?

And that is sort of the point

America is in a civil arms race with it's own citizens with the NRA driving the fear, We do not have that fear of being shot - possibly because our murder rate is a third of yours, Our total firearm mortality rate is about a tenth of yours.

IF you are unlikely to see someone with a gun or encounter a criminal with a firearm then you are not going to think of needing one (and mate you turn up on the streets here with a gun and no uniform then your arse belonga copper)

Bottom line - before the gun reforms in 1996 we had nearly one mass shooting per year for around 16 years (using the FBI definition of 4 or more dead) since then - one that fits the criteria

Don't get me wrong - we still have had mass murders but there is no evidence of substitution effect.

 

I am a retired police officer, and with retired status am allowed a service arm for my personal defense, and even retired, have taken more than a few malcreants in charge.

 

Would not be allowed here. All firearms must be secured when not in use.

http://loc.gov/law/help/firearms-control/australia.php

Thing is when there are not that many guns around then there is a level playing field where guns are not needed. The "Only criminals will have guns" is a myth because only hardened criminals with contacts to the underworld are able to purchase/rent guns. That is right rapid fire weapons are so expensive to buy that they are often rented from one crook to another with the understanding that if it is fired - they "own" it

 

Addit

This is a recent headline from here

http://www.news.com.au/national/cri...r/news-story/374b4e55fdbb1718079c36979245d50c
Think on it - we have few deaths per year than you do in a week and we a griping about it?
We are calling for action to reduce the total?

And not one suggestion that the solution is more guns - instead there is a call to disarm more criminals - and here that is relatively easy. You got a gun and no licence you are a criminal welcome to jail time.

Now a question - if you came here to our beautiful shores (and remember although America might be God's own country Australia is where he goes for a holiday ) would you carry a gun?