Re suicide; I'll quote from a recent Aussie Shooter Journal insert by Samara McPhedran;
"The leading Australian suicide method has, for many years, been asphyxiation (hanging, strangulation, suffocation). This method contributed substantially to a peak in suicide rates in the late 1990s, and in 2003 accounted for 45% of all suicides. In the same year, poisoning accounted for 31%, 'other' methods for 14%, and firearms (of all types) for 9% for all suicides." [ABS 2004, 'Suicides: Recent trends, Australia' Cat No. 3309.0.55.001]
"The ongoing decline in firearm suicides did not translate into a decline in overall suicide rates."
This is an important point that many people miss.
The suicide argument does not make sense anyhow as, only certain types of firearms were confiscated and a lot of people just went out and bought a new bolt/lever/pump with the compensation money. Importation has gone up, so there are more guns in the country than ever before.
Firearm Homicides have been declining since the late 1960s
Its not a recent trend, it probably just shows that Goblins know that the sheep are just as easy to rob with a knife/other weapon as with a firearm. It also shows that sheep are less willing to shoot back. IMHO Aust might be a better place if there were a few more "justifiable firearm homicides"
Bill of rights, Bruce, yes they ride roughshod over this
law but notice how quick they are to quote the Bill of Rights re; Freedom of Speech when some MP unfairly libels someone in Parliament. Of course freedom of speech (like armed bodyguards and ballistic vests) are only for pollies, and their ilk.
Josh
"The leading Australian suicide method has, for many years, been asphyxiation (hanging, strangulation, suffocation). This method contributed substantially to a peak in suicide rates in the late 1990s, and in 2003 accounted for 45% of all suicides. In the same year, poisoning accounted for 31%, 'other' methods for 14%, and firearms (of all types) for 9% for all suicides." [ABS 2004, 'Suicides: Recent trends, Australia' Cat No. 3309.0.55.001]
"The ongoing decline in firearm suicides did not translate into a decline in overall suicide rates."
This is an important point that many people miss.
The suicide argument does not make sense anyhow as, only certain types of firearms were confiscated and a lot of people just went out and bought a new bolt/lever/pump with the compensation money. Importation has gone up, so there are more guns in the country than ever before.
Firearm Homicides have been declining since the late 1960s
Its not a recent trend, it probably just shows that Goblins know that the sheep are just as easy to rob with a knife/other weapon as with a firearm. It also shows that sheep are less willing to shoot back. IMHO Aust might be a better place if there were a few more "justifiable firearm homicides"
Bill of rights, Bruce, yes they ride roughshod over this
law but notice how quick they are to quote the Bill of Rights re; Freedom of Speech when some MP unfairly libels someone in Parliament. Of course freedom of speech (like armed bodyguards and ballistic vests) are only for pollies, and their ilk.
Josh