Paul,

Why don't you answer the question that I asked?

"Don't you believe in the right to defend one's self, or one's loved ones?"

Then I'll answer your questions.

The reason we don't have a huge US style problem with guns in Australia is because of tough gun laws, and Howard to his credit took decisive action on guns. Now this Rambo Dave from the LDP wants to undo all that and arm society.
"Don't you believe in the right to defend one's self, or one's loved ones?" To answer you question Is Mise. As a 97 year old, deaf and blind mute I intend to fight to the bitter end when attacked by a gang of gun wheedling Hell's Angles, I prefer the walking stick for self defense, now what's yours . We have a police force to protect society, we don't need a private armed posse of vigilantes roaming the streets, protecting society from wrong doers.
"Wake up people the government doesn't want you to have a gun because you might be a threat to their government." chrisgaff1000 are you advocating gun laws based on the Syrian model?

Just answer the question, Paul.

It's not hard.

"Don't you believe in the right to defend one's self, or one's loved ones?"

>>Did I mention guns?

In Australia one is not allowed to possess any thing for the purpose of self defence.<<

Really? This is the first I've heard about this. When did they ban cricket bats? Is it only in some states? It's just that this year's cricket season is going to be pretty hard if we all have to bat with those foam noodle things people have in their swimming pools.

Oh well. Even if they do ban sporting goods they can't effectively ban stout sticks: stout sticks grow on trees. Just go for a walk in the bush and select yourself a suitably stout stick. Voila, you now have your very own defensive weapon. Was that so hard?

Cheers,

Tony

"In Australia one is not allowed to possess any thing for the purpose of self defence."

Tony Lavis you forgot to mention rapier wit...

Not everyone on OLO, of course, is equally well defended.

Rapier wit or no, one is not allowed to possess anything for the purpose of self defence; the operative words are 'self defence', one may have a cricket bat or almost anythlng else in one's possession but the purpose is crucial.
One may use one's walking stick to defend but one must not have it for that purpose.