Australia’s Gun Haters

Australia’s Gun Haters

Friday, June 23, 2017

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20170623/nationwide-firearms-turn-in-not-enough-for-australia-s-gun-haters

On July 1, Australia begins National Firearms Amnesty 2017, the country’s fourth federal firearms buyback (more accurately termed turn-in) or amnesty program since 1987. According to the Australian government, officials hope to capture some of the country’s estimated 260,000 unregistered firearms. The Australian government has also cited the threat of terrorism, and in particular the December 2014 siege on the Lindt Café in Sydney, as justification for the new turn-in. The amnesty period runs to September 30.

Unlike the confiscatory scheme that followed Australia’s 1996 National Firearms Agreement, which banned most ownership of semi-automatic and pump action rifles and shotguns, the 2017 amnesty is not coupled to any new restrictions on the types of firearms an individual may own. Further, under the current amnesty, firearm owners will not receive any compensation for the firearms they relinquish. To participate in the amnesty, gun owners will have to bring their unregistered firearms to a drop-off point designated by state and territorial authorities.

In an improvement over the 1997 confiscatory turn-in, gun owners in many cases will be able to choose the final disposition of their unregistered firearms. An individual that has an irrational animus towards guns can choose to have their former firearm destroyed. Those turning in firearms eligible to enter the lawful stream of commerce may also be able to sell the firearm to a licensed dealer.

Firearms license holders who turn over a firearm they are eligible to own will be allowed to register and retain possession of their gun. Of course, given Australian history, some gun owners might prove justifiably reluctant to make the government aware of their unregistered arms, lest they be targeted in some future confiscation effort.

[To learn more about the details of Australia’s National Firearms Amnesty, including the specific rules for each state and territory, visit https://firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au.]

In the U.S., researchers and gun rights advocates have long agreed that turn-ins are ineffective policy. This fact is not lost on all Australian politicians. Liberal Democrat Senator from New South Wales David Leyonjelm, recently said of the 2017 amnesty, “It’s purely for appearance purposes. It won’t do anything to address guns on the street, they’ll end up with grandma’s rusty old shotgun or rifle. Which was never going to be used in crime in the first place.”

However, that the current amnesty provides an avenue for some unwanted and illegally held firearms to re-enter the lawful stream of commerce is a minor beacon of common sense in Australia’s otherwise misguided gun policy. The Australian government did not come to this sensible policy on its own. According to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia lobbied the government for this measure.

Of course, this minor concession to reason has been attacked by Australia’s anti-gun community.

In a radio interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Gun Control Australia Vice-President Roland Browne lamented that some illegally held firearms might find their way into the hands of licensed gun owners. The gun control lobby representative told the interviewer, “This amnesty started off as a public safety measure. In fact, in reality, it is appearing now to be a profit-making venture for firearms dealers.” According to Browne, the ability to move illegally held firearms into the hands of law-abiding gun owners undermines “the integrity of the registration system,” and he would rather “take these guns out of circulation.”

Australia’s experience with gun control continues to provide important lessons for American gun owners. In the end, the gun control movement is not about getting guns out of “the wrong hands,” or banning certain types of firearms. Despite repeated national turn-ins, gun registration, background checks, gun owner licensing, a ban on semi-automatic and pump-action rifles and shotguns, and the abolition of gun ownership for the purpose of self-defense, groups like Gun Control Australia continue to target Australia’s law-abiding gun owners. Gun Control Australia’s response to the 2017 National Firearms Amnesty further proves that as long as there remain firearms in the hands of private citizens, gun control advocates will continue to work towards their goal of total civilian disarmament.

Australia

Australia is a member of the Group of 20.

Note: Julia Gillard was a prime minister for Australia, and is a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank), the Center for American Progress, the International Rescue Committee, and the Harlem Children's Zone.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a supporter for the Center for American Progress, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.    

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Lawrence H. Summers was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a distinguished senior fellow for the Center for American Progress, is a director at the ONE Campaign, a co-founder for the Group of 20, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Center for American Progress calls for heightened “Gun Safety, Gun Control” for guns.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Timothy F. Geithner is an overseer, director for the International Rescue Committee, and was a co-founder for the Group of 20.

Michael R. Bloomberg was an advocate for the ONE Campaign, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, is a co-chair for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the founder of Independence USA PAC, and the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Independence USA PAC is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Warren E. Buffett is an advisory board member for Everytown for Gun Safety, and Howard G. Buffett & Susan A. Buffett’s father.

Howard G. Buffett is Warren E. Buffett’s son, and a director at the ONE Campaign.

Susan A. Buffett is Warren E. Buffett’s daughter, and a director at the ONE Campaign.

Lawrence H. Summers is a director at the ONE Campaign, a co-founder for the Group of 20, was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a distinguished senior fellow for the Center for American Progress, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Timothy F. Geithner is an overseer, director for the International Rescue Committee, and was a co-founder for the Group of 20.

Australia is a member of the Group of 20.

Julia Gillard was a prime minister for Australia, and is a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).