Paul,

Of course, they have Firearms Licences, otherwise they would not be allowed to compete or to purchase their rapid firing pistols, rifles and shotguns, ain't the 1890s technology great!!

Re the road signs.

From personal observation, an election or two back, signs along the Putty Rd (Windsor NSW, through to the Hunter) had been shot but there seemed to be an odd consistency about the angles at which they'd been hit so we stopped from then on and examined them.
All were hit in the approximate centre and at the same angle and there were tyre marks at many of them that were consistent with the same vehicle being stopped at the same distance from each sign.

On the Gwydir Highway between Inverell and Glen Innes, many of the larger road signs shew evidence of being shot with slugs from a shotgun, none have holes through them except one which has a SQUARE hole in it all the rest are large dents.
Close examination reveals that many of these dents have exactly the same marks in them consistent with the signs having been hit with a ball pein hammer with a long handle.

None of the smaller signs, such as those depicting kangaroos have been 'shot' nor those signs that are hard to reach.
The signs warning of deer were never affected as they were stolen as quickly as they were erected and they are no longer put up.

The evidence is there, go and have a look.

I had a quick Google but could find nothing on road signs being shot in Australia but I did find an interesting reference to Britain, where firearms are very strictly controlled.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2509855/Bullet-hole-Britain-The-road-signs-used-underworld-gunmen-test-illegal-weaponry.html

//There is evidence that some road signs are shot, or otherwise damaged, by the antis to bring discredit on shooters; this becomes evident just before elections.//

Well, I have to say it's one of the more entertaining conspiracy theories I've heard. But I think your Occam's razor might have gone blunt if you consider it to be a better hypothesis than the much simpler and more obvious answer: that it was done by some pissed-up bogans.

Paul,

(Quote)Just to add, note the total lack of safety as these hillbillies run around shooting, carrying loaded guns around other people, loaded guns unattended, a rapid caress attitude while shooting, people standing close to shooters, unsafe metal targets. I am surprised no one has been killed yet by a stray bullet.(unquote)

What a load of unmitigated ignorance, Western Action shoots are run with the same adherence to safety procedures as are other ranges.

Quote and unquote in the above are used because the 'system' suddenly took offence at the use of quotation marks.

Toni,

Hardly historical re-enactment, as I said earlier, those who lived in the Old West would have stained their britches in uncontrollable mirth could they but see the Hollywood oriented practitioners of Western Action, the dress and particularly the pistol holsters are, in many cases, but grotesque imaginings of the then real world.
But as they are having fun, in a very safe way and not hurting anybody then good luck to them.

Dear Is Mise,

Given that pretty well 100% of households would have at least one occupant with a drivers licence and given the fact that earning that licence in this country is far more onerous than a shooters licence the only thing that would prevent the arming of 100% of the nation's household is the trustworthiness factor.

Can we assume that probably less than 5% drivers would have a conviction reflecting on their own trustworthiness. This would leave 95% of our homes weaponised with the primary role of that weapon (your stance) to protect from intruders.

Are you really going to sit there and tell me the vision you have for my country would not see a dramatic increase in gun deaths whether by suicide, accident, or on the rare occasion killing an intruder?

You sir are a dangerous ideologue and should really have a good hard look at yourself.

As to signs being shot to discredit shooters, what a lot of twaddle. Grow up mate.

Toni,

"Well, I have to say it's one of the more entertaining conspiracy theories I've heard. But I think your Occam's razor might have gone blunt if you consider it to be a better hypothesis than the much simpler and more obvious answer: that it was done by some pissed-up bogans"

I have examined the road signs that I mentioned and I'm well versed in forensic ballistics, and I hardly think that anyone would bash selected signs with a ball pein hammer for fun.
You might ask how I knew that it was a hammer, well hammers acquire distinguishing marks in the normal course of their use and such marks are transferred to softer metal when it is struck (except by planishing hammers and similar, which are kept polished and protected by their users).

There was on the Putty Rd and the Gwydir Highway a total lack of holes from .22 rimfire rifles, which use the very cheapest of ammo.

One would also wonder why the smaller signs, such as speed signs, were not used as targets on the Gwydir?

One supposition is that they are harder and thus not able to be dented by the pein as realistically as the larger, less rigid signs.

Hi there STEELEREDUX...

Regrettably as with any pastime, you get your irresponsible people participating. You say you camp and hike on designated tracks in Victorian State Forests, and from what you say, it's also lawful to discharge F/A's in that same State Forest, where the hiking and camping takes place?

I would've thought having both activities together in the same State Forest might pose a recipe for an accident given the power of some centre fires and their ability to travel. I must admit I'm pretty much out of touch with the shooting fraternity, but generally the two pastimes don't make reasonable contented bed fellows, despite what's said to the contrary. Still what would I know?