Posted on 02/25/2006 9:35:24 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
20,000 more guns 'a worry'
By CARA JENKIN 25feb06
THE number of guns registered in SA has surged by 20,000 in the past five years, despite measures to slash firearms ownership after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
The rise has sparked concern the odds of a similar tragedy happening here are growing.
Figures released to The Advertiser by the state's Firearms Registry show 348,127 guns are now registered in SA.
About two-thirds - or 221,681 guns - are .22 calibre rim-fire rifles and single or double-barrel shotguns.
In 1996, there were 364,354 guns registered in the state but in the two years following Port Arthur, the number decreased by 40,000 to 323,115, the lowest number in 10 years.
However, while gun numbers are rising, the number of licensed gun owners is falling.
During the past five years, the number of licensed gunholders decreased by a third from 97,617 to 63,296.
Legal gunholders now own on average 5.5 firearms each, compared to 3.7 firearms.
Victims of Crime chief executive Michael Dawson said it was a very worrying trend because most gun-related incidents occurred in the home.
"As a community, we should be looking for more long-term social changes after such a tragedy as Port Arthur," he said. "My other concern is firearms breed violence and encourage people to be more aggressive than if they don't have a firearm."
Long-time gun control campaigner Democrats MLC Iain Gilfillan said legislation needed to be introduced to prohibit storing firearms in private residences in the metropolitan area.
Opposition police spokesman Rob Brokenshire said an increase in the number of firearms did not necessarily mean more guns were on the street.
A spokesman for Police Minister Kevin Foley said an increase in legal guns was not concerning.
I guess they're getting ready for the coming global jihad.
A sound, free government trusts its citizens...and tyrant fears them.
Good on the Aussies. Stay armed, stay safe...stay free.
As long as they are in the hands of private citizens, the more the better.
I'm ready.
Crazy, insane, mad etc.....
Legal gunholders now own on average 5.5 firearms each, compared to 3.7 firearms.
Victims of Crime chief executive Michael Dawson said it was a very worrying trend because most gun-related incidents occurred in the home.
This guy turns logic on it head. The numbers tell us there are less gun owners, but they posses more guns. So there are less gun owning homes, yet Mr. Dawson conclude that this is worrisome because most gun accident occur in the home.
Translation:
We need to promote the idea that gun ownership is bad because guns cause crime.
Another liberal projecting his own psychoses onto more mentally balanced individuals.
Blast To The Top
Hmmm... With the coming current jihad, they might want to bump that up to .308.
Yeah, I need to bring the gun average up. ;-)
Hasn't there been a dramatic rise in home invasions like in England? That would account for the rise in gun incidents in the home but they couldn't make their point if they told the truth.
Hmmm... Must the the Evil Faerie dust they sprinkle on guns.
"Long-time gun control campaigner Democrats MLC Iain Gilfillan said legislation needed to be introduced to prohibit storing firearms in private residences in the metropolitan area."
I seem to recall an incident where an attempt by British soldiers to seize a private arsenal in Lexington, Massachusets resulted in an armed revolt by the local citizenry. The end result was much gun violence and great sorrow and bloodshed. These horrible events have come to be called "The American Revolution."
Let's hope our Australian friends can keep both their guns and their freedom without being forced into armed rebellion.
Average gun ownership is probably unchanged. 20,000 new gun registrations probably follow in proportion to normal increase in thier population.
Just what is an Opposition police spokesman?
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