Issy. we are going around in circles with your use of semantics to dodge a bullet.

Okay, "(You) firmly believe that everyone has the right to the best means of self-defence and that is usually a pistol."
If that right was so granted by law in Australia, could you envisage any members of the general public actually being allowed to carry a loaded concealed pistol for self defence purposes? That requires only a simple yes/no answer.

The Government has just past a new law which reads;

Every Australian is granted the right to carry a machete for self defence purposes. However, due to the extremely dangerous nature of machetes any person found guilty of carrying a machete for self defence purposes will face a maximum of five years imprisonment.

Sounds like a Shooters and Hooters Party law.

Tony Abbott believed gays had the right to marry in Australia, it was he didn't believe they should actually marry in Australia.

PAUL,

"Okay, "(You) firmly believe that everyone has the right to the best means of self-defence and that is usually a pistol."
If that right was so granted by law in Australia, could you envisage any members of the general public actually being allowed to carry a loaded concealed pistol for self defence purposes? That requires only a simple yes/no answer."

The right to self-defence already exists in Australian Law the possession of the best or any means is denied by law.

Prior to the John Howard Gun Laws, many members of the general public had Possess, Use and Carry licences and were no problem.
When the laws came in and self-defence was no longer a reason they lost the ability to defend themselves.

One rather rich citizen who was a bit upset at losing his licence bought an armed security company and appointed himself Chief Operator and put himself on 24/7 duty, thus being armed at all times.

Are you so naive, Paul, that you don't think that some people do carry pistols for self-defence, regardless of the law?

Hi issy,

//Are you so naive, Paul, that you don't think that some people do carry pistols for self-defence, regardless of the law?//

Yes I'll agree, Kings Cross business men and leading racing identities. Are they in your gun club?

No, no, no, you didn't answer the question. The question did not concern the existing law of "The right to self-defence already exists". Rather it concerned a change in the law to "that everyone has the right to the best means of self-defence" which is your supported position. Given such a change to your position, would you also support as a fact citizens can then legally be allowed to carry a concealed loaded pistol for self defence? A simple yes or no will do. Nothing required about Little Johnny Howard, or rich citizens who own security companies.

Paul,

Are you stupid or just dense? (a simple 'yes' or 'no' will do).

The right to self-defence already exists, therefore, the right to the best means already exists.

//"Does a shillelagh count as a walking stick?"

As you well know, it is a lethal weapon//

Yeah, but so are lots of things. A chainsaw is a lethal weapon, that doesn't stop it being a chainsaw. A shillelagh is a stick that can be used to assist walking. I therefore maintain that it is a walking stick, m'lud.

Toni,

You may maintain all you like but, under Australian law, a Shillelagh is an offensive weapon, so would be a walking stick if possessed for the purpose of self-defence.

The law has it covered so that no Australian may possess anything for a self-defensive purpose.

"Oaken shillelaghs in various stages of completion
Shillelaghs may be hollowed at the heavy "hitting" end and filled with molten lead to increase the weight beyond the typical two pounds; this sort of shillelagh is known as a 'loaded stick'.[1] They are commonly the length of a walking stick (distance from the floor to one's wrist with elbow slightly bent). Most also have a heavy knob for a handle which can be used for striking as well as parrying and disarming an opponent. Many shillelaghs also have a strap attached, similar to commercially made walking sticks, to place around the holder's wrist...
Methods of shillelagh fighting have evolved over a period of thousands of years, from the spear, staff, axe and sword fighting of the Irish. There is some evidence which suggests that the use of Irish stick weapons may have evolved in a progression from a reliance on long spears and wattles, to shorter spears and wattles, to the shillelagh, alpeen, blackthorn (walking-stick) and short cudgel. By the 19th century Irish shillelagh-fighting had evolved into a practice which involved the use of three basic types of weapons, sticks which were long, medium or short in length."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shillelagh_(club)