Hi there IS MISE...

With respect my friend, nobody has ever been permitted to have a 'long arm' (rifle or shotgun) licensed for self protection from another. The fact that some do use them for that reason, doesn't mean it's legal. It's definitely not legal, before or after 1996.

The police and media humiliation of this male victim (see link below) was disgraceful, his particulars, unflattering photos and even a google map of the location of his home, were front page news. He was publicly humiliated.

http://tinyurl.com/male-victims-are-different

He was put in a cell, told SFA, interrogated for hours, treated as a common criminal, forced to spend thousands on legal assistance and even when finally vindicated, his reputation and financial affairs are in tatters. What about the effect of the crime and the re-victimisation on his mental state and wellbeing?

If he was a woman, there would have been a deluge of support from the highest level of government and the police force, and from the media.

Again, not trying to diminish the effect of crime on women either, but demonstrating the double standard that applies.

The victim Donald Brooke, is a human too. But he was treated very shabbily and that was in NSW where the Shooters and Fishers Party had thankfully successfully challenged and changed reversed standard of proof. Imagine what could have become of Donald Brooke in (say) Queensland, especially under the previous 'Progressive' Labor government of Anna Bligh? He would have been pilloried by the sensationalist media, detained by police and interrogated for weeks, destroyed psychologically and financially and likely would now be in a prison somewhere.

Men are not disposable. We have feelings too and a right to live and to protect our body and life. It is intolerable that a reversed standard of proof is applied to defence in the home, or in the street for that matter.

I am trying to imagine the dreadful clamour if it was young women who were being struck down in the street and rendered paralysed mental basket cases, or killed. It wouldn't be, 'Oh just ban late venue hours, that will do', would it?

RAWMUSTARD...

Again I must draw your attention to another statement you made.

You ask why are law enforcement permitted to carry F/A's and law abiding citizens aren't - are the lives of law enforcement personnel more important than that of a private citizen ?

I find that an extraordinary comment you've made ? I really don't believe it even warrants an answer - ALL BLOODY LIFE IS PRECIOUS ! ALL LIFE !

Thank you for your contribution RAWMUSTARD.

Hi there BELLY...

This is a topic that should've been left well alone. I can quite understand why many people are annoyed at some of our strange laws concerning self protection.

Seemingly the crooks can do as they like with gay abandon, yet the citizen who does no wrong is (seemingly) denied any meaningful measures in which to protect themselves. Particularly those at most risk ?

As I said in an earlier thread, I sincerely believe we're headed for a complete 'Meltdown' in our Western Culture, of our entire social fabric, both on our streets and public places.

I believe in time, we will witness gangs of marauding and predatory young men, emanating from many differing ethnic mixes, together with other equally disenfranchised young people, roaming about our cities and towns looking for trouble and easy marks. If it's evidence you want, you need look no further than the UK. London, Manchester, Birmingham and other provincial cities, and not forgetting France and their masses of OMC groups... I think the symptoms are evident for all to see... ? And if it's guns you want, the United States have a few, I'm led to believe.

Still our governments continue to seek solutions from your erstwhile social engineers, though well intentioned, most are devoid of any pragmatic and permanent answers. Leaving us, the population to continue to lurch and wallow about, in a sea of indecision.

O SUNG WU.

Before 1996 there was no registration of long arms in NSW so one was at liberty to purchase and keep one handy to use as required and if one wanted it for protection then that was perfectly lawful. It was after 1996 that Self Defence was ruled to not be a genuine reason to acquire a legal long firearm.

Be it noted that the prime mover of this restriction on safety was John Winston Howard, who personally had armed protection.

ALL BLOODY LIFE IS PRECIOUS ! ALL LIFE !
o sung wu,
I trust you mean all decent life because I don't think low life deserves any sympathy whatsoever.