SM,

In the case of knives, they have a primary legitimate purpose, I've given my opinion on them previously. Drownings are unfortunate accidents with no criminal intent, there are measures taken to try and prevent drownings, you are aware of them. Motor vehicles have a vital use in society, and recognising the inherent dangers in their use, they are heavily regulated through licencing, laws, policing and punitive action when necessary. Unlike gun behaviour, none of the aforementioned have political parties or organisations actively seeking to "white ant" the necessary control through government legislation.

There are those who obtain a gun licence for solely criminal purposes, "cleanskins", and the black market trade in firearms. Should owning a firearm for purely recreational purposes, hunting, target shooting, be recognised as legitimate? Are existing requirements in relation to licencing, storing and use of firearms tough enough? I believe there are areas where improvements can be made. I do thank John Howard and others for the introduction of robust, and certainly necessary, gun laws some 25 years ago, but society needs to be vigilant as there are those who actively seek to undermine such laws.

Am I clear.

People with the mentality such as Paul1405's are a far great threat to society than gun owners !

So Indy,

You are claiming that I'm a greater threat to society than those three crazed gun owners who murdered two young police officers and their neighbour.

Well news for you buddy, I'd have a great use for an old fart like you in the regular army, it involves guns and target practice.

Paul,

The consequences of having a gun lost or stolen can and does lead to prosecution about 25% of the time. The person who loses or has a gun stolen will probably never get another license.

There may well be a few clean skins, but this is probably a tiny minority, and you have no figures for this. What is it 10 guns p.a.?

If you don't like guns, that's fine, but don't try and make a mountain out of a molehill.

SM,

No not at all, with over 3,000 firearms stolen annually anyone who believes only 10 are stolen though the network of "cleanskins" for the criminal black market is kidding themselves. Between 2007 and 2017 there was a doubling of gun theft.

"Most registered firearms stolen from private homes and farms are never recovered. Many of the guns end up on the illegal market, in the hands of criminals."

"GCA chair Sam Lee said no government body was monitoring, researching or tracking gun theft in Australia." Figures are difficult to obtain, only through FOI requests and then it can be onerous, as the gun lobby ensures there is a shroud of secrecy to mask this serious problem

Paul1405,
it's all about context. There are a hell of a lot more bureaudroids than crazed shooters & that makes the former a far greater problem for society because it is more often than not due to incompetent & corrupt people in authority who drive people up the wall.