Post by Woody Williams on Jan 5, 2006 21:19:02 GMT -5
From a Canadian paper..
Letter: Australia proof that gun laws don't work
Australia proof that gun laws don't work
It's amazing that getting rid of all the non-criminal guns in Australia
only cost a fraction of what we're spending for a database system to
register ours in Canada. Here's a thought to warm some of your hearts
from Ed Chenel, a police officer in Australia:
"Hi friends. Thought you all would like to see the real figures from
Down Under. It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were
forced by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be
destroyed by our own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers
more than $500 million.
"The first-year results are now in. Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2
per cent; Australia-wide assaults are up 8.6 per cent; Australia-wide
armed robberies are up 44 per cent (yes, 44 per cent). In the state of
Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 per cent. Note
that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did
not, and criminals still possess their guns.
"While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the
past 12 months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey
is unarmed.
"There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of
the elderly. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public
safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was
expended in 'successfully ridding Australian society of guns.' "
You won't see this on the Canadian evening news or hear your member of
Parliament disseminating this information. The Australian experience
proves it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property,
and yes, gun control laws affect only the law-abiding citizens. Take
note Canadians, before it's too late.
WELDON LEACH
Windsor
Letter: Australia proof that gun laws don't work
Australia proof that gun laws don't work
It's amazing that getting rid of all the non-criminal guns in Australia
only cost a fraction of what we're spending for a database system to
register ours in Canada. Here's a thought to warm some of your hearts
from Ed Chenel, a police officer in Australia:
"Hi friends. Thought you all would like to see the real figures from
Down Under. It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were
forced by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be
destroyed by our own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers
more than $500 million.
"The first-year results are now in. Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2
per cent; Australia-wide assaults are up 8.6 per cent; Australia-wide
armed robberies are up 44 per cent (yes, 44 per cent). In the state of
Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 per cent. Note
that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did
not, and criminals still possess their guns.
"While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the
past 12 months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey
is unarmed.
"There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of
the elderly. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public
safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was
expended in 'successfully ridding Australian society of guns.' "
You won't see this on the Canadian evening news or hear your member of
Parliament disseminating this information. The Australian experience
proves it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property,
and yes, gun control laws affect only the law-abiding citizens. Take
note Canadians, before it's too late.
WELDON LEACH
Windsor
