The Port Arthur incident was tragic but was done by an idiot and that's no justification to ban guns and takeaway self defence opportunity for sensible law abiding citizens.
Even having a rifle in the house can give peace of mind, while being concerned about radical extremists do can do quite the opposite.
We might already have a small force of radicals here that have conned Aus immigration for visas.

Our safety might depend on whether Trump is elected or if things get worse with warmonger secretary Kerry still controlling US mid east policy.

I respect women, no question about that.
I think both US election candidates have sex scandal or otherwise questionable backgrounds.

It's US foreign policy that media should presently be fully investigating and reporting.

O sung wu,

Yes. I've read a couple of books on stick-fighting in India and other places. I liked Is Mises'whack in the ear'ole, too. That would be one of the few uses those little rubber police truncheons of yore would be good for, would it not?

Hi there TTBN...

Indeed, a solid whack around one's ear would certainly make the ol' eyes water for sure. I suppose the only good thing about many of these martial arts, for one to attain any degree of proficiency they would need much practice and considerable discipline.

And before that came about, anyone intent on inflicting any serious injury upon another; they might've became more level headed, better skilled, and infinitely better disciplined as I mentioned above. Even the old fashioned 'Advanx' hard rubber Billie Clubs we're all issued with, if used unwisely you could well find yourself in the Coroners Court, with both your freedom and career on the line. Potentially, they're quite capable of killing, believe me?

In over 32 years in the job, I've rarely even drawn the thing, from the specially designed and sewn (long) narrow pocket in our uniform trousers. The newer more exposed KB26K Long Baton (26" long) mfg'd. from turned aluminum, and worn fully exposed in the baton ring on your duty belt, was a far superior night stick, to the former Billie Club, and less chance of you doing your job. Moreover the judiciary as a whole, we much happier for police, with the KB26K, than the more sinister and highly concealable Billie Club of yesteryear!

Emperor Julian,

John Howard did not take excess guns but guns of particular types and if one only owned one gun and it fell into the banned categories then it had to be handed in, however at the recent Police Ministers' Conference it was reported that there are over 600,000 illegal weapons in Australia, hence the decision to hold an amnesty.

We are among the most heavily civilian armed nations.

Which goes to prove that more guns means less crime.

Is Mise, I am not aware of any stats that support your argument that more guns in the community equals less crime in Australia.

By your silence I can only assume that your support for the use of machetes as a weapon of "self defense" goes without saying.

o sung wo, My partners nephew Chris is rather adapt at using the Maori Taiaha. I have seen him demonstrate it in a ceremonial capacity and its rather a fearsome weapon in the right hands.

From the movie "Whale Rider"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofybOAqLWZM

Paul,

You said that crime in Australia is falling and as the Greens recently sent up a wail when it was realized that there are more guns in civilian hands than before the Gun Buy Back then if follows that more guns means less crime.