An interesting interpretation of crime figures from a gun supporter and member of pro gun clubs.

However John Whitely has hit on the main issue that help from police or other security is unlikely to be timely in such cases.

The solution is preparation and prevention. This does not mean get a gun and shoot someone before they shoot you. In the Monash Uni shooting example none of the people who assisted in restraining Huan Xiang were charged or even investigated. If a teacher had pulled a gun and shot Huan that would raise as many questions if not more than when a member of the police kills someone. Tutor Alistair Boast had martial arts training and lecturer Dr Lee Gordon-Brown acted on an opportunity. Xiang had 5 guns. Who in their right mind would need 5 guns. According to the Victorian Supreme Court, the prosecution, defence and jury; no one. Xiang is now in the dribble factory for 25 years.

Prevention is about removing the conditions that can create such a situation. This includes working toward identifying tendency or potential to seek retribution. Another method of prevention is removing private ownership of guns. How far would Martin Byrant have got with a baseball bat and a knife? Yes farmers, hunters, police, target shooters, security guards etc are all welcome to use guns when required. But not take them home. They do not need to shoot a boar, wounded cow, clay pigeon or bank robber in their lounge. That’s where their wife/husband and children are.

Given a choice of living on an island with no guns or one where everybody has them, where would you rather bring up your children?

Of the 34,000 in the US who are shot dead each year how many were in the act of committing a crime and how many were family members. That’s a sad figure.

We are very different to the US. They have had wars with just about anybody including themselves throughout their whole history. They have shot and fought to where they are now. Australia is much luckier, aren’t we?