A shocking revelation has come to light: Australians now own more guns than before the devastating Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
The number of firearms in the country is increasing at an alarming rate, and it’s essential to understand the implications of this trend.
The Alarming Numbers
In New South Wales alone, there are over 1.1 million registered firearms, with a significant chunk of them located in suburban Sydney.
To put this into perspective, there are more than 2,000 registered gun owners in Camden and Liverpool, and hundreds more in other suburbs like Bankstown, Merrylands, and Greenacre.
In fact, some areas like Dee Why, Ryde, and Abbotsford have nearly 400 registered gun owners each.
A National Concern
The national total of firearms has surpassed the pre-Port Arthur massacre numbers, which is a cause for concern. Before the 1996 national firearms agreement, there were an estimated 3.2 million firearms in public possession across the country.
Greens MLC Sue Higginson emphasizes the importance of remembering the lessons of the past, saying, “We drew a line in the sand right there and then about guns in Australia. We mustn’t forget that.”
The Need for a Conversation
Despite the introduction of a national firearms register last year, gun laws still vary significantly between states.
For instance, only Western Australia has a cap on the number of firearms an individual can own. In fact, one licence holder in Cremorne, Sydney, has almost 400 guns registered to their name.
Stephen Bendle, spokesperson for the Australian Gun Safety Alliance, believes that the community needs to have a conversation about limiting the number of firearms people can own, stating that “70 per cent of people think that it should be harder to get a firearm.”
Can the Authorities Keep Up?
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley is confident that the state’s gun enforcement agency can keep up with the regulations, saying, “The regulations in New South Wales are robust, but the settings are right.”
However, with the increasing number of firearms in the country, it’s essential to ensure that the authorities are equipped to handle the situation effectively.
As the number of guns in Australia continues to rise, it’s crucial to have an open and informed conversation about gun ownership and safety.
What do you think about the current state of gun laws in Australia?
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