rock collector, your first post seems rather panicky that the laws will be thrown out. "God help us all" you said. Do you think that the shooting clubs have much chance of getting any change at all?

It is my opinion that the most that is POSSIBLE is a few administrative changes. The State has signed on to the National Agreement on Firearms, and there is not much scope in that for "God Help Us" even if the politicians were not completely on board with the media and 'general public' stakeholders.

"Legislation will certainly not stop any determined criminal from acquiring a gun, but it should certainly go a long way to help slow down those legal gun owners, whom although they are not criminals at present, perhaps through some form of aggrieved process, could easily become one."

Rock Collector, the post I should have opened with should not have been about cars, bats or iron bars. I should have instead asked you the question.......What makes you so sure that legitimate firearm owners are going to become criminals in the first place?
It's seems almost as though someone who holds a legitimate license and firearm has threatened you for whatever reason, or perhaps you have a tale of personal tragedy to tell?

In relation to cars, yeah, I'll admit they were not intentionally designed to kill, but look how much road rage we read about in newspapers, look at the two tragic deaths in Sydney last night in which two elderly people were killed. In my associating with farmers and sporting shooters, it's more likely you'll see someone driving a car in an erratic manner who suddenly finds themselves before a criminal court than a legitimate firearm owner. The big difference is that the owner of the firearm is very aware that their gun/rifle WAS designed to kill, but the idiot joy riding, hooning, drunk, speeding or talking on a mobile phone whilst driving doesn't realise that the weapon they're driving is fully loaded.

"Legislation will certainly not stop any determined criminal from acquiring a gun, but it should certainly go a long way to help slow down those legal gun owners, whom although they are not criminals at present, perhaps through some form of aggrieved process, could easily become one."

According to the stats, only one shooting out of all the past incidents was committed by a licenced gun owner, so it seems that the vast majority (ie all other licensed shooters) would not pose a threat through any "aggrieved process".
The so-called "buy-backs" were knee-jerks that punished legal shooters while leaving criminals unaffected. How can anyone think that that has improved safety?

If anyone here on this blog is old enough to have lived thru the ww2,they could tell you that before any war happened (was made) the general public was disarmed first.Simple truth! Pollies are scared when people are armed. Like in an other post it was mentioned about Switzerland's neutrality and peacefull existence, where btw every man capable of firing a rifle (self/country defence) posesses an firearm of some sort.
As far as criminals is concerned, they would think twice if not thrice about entering your premises or abusing any of your rights.
Don't forget the past rulers who abused their people,if those people had a firearm, would these rulers have had a chance to abuse their freedoms and rights? Don't think so! Revolutions would have been created and justly so.

rock collector, If that is what you do for hobby (rock collecting) how would you feel if you staked a claim somewhere in the bush and someone comes along and cleans your claim whilst carrying a firearm,would you produce a permit for him to do so? or would you show a sign at the front fence near your claim-pegs with the words,"Trespassers risk being shot at" Or a bit closer to home: You find your daughter being raped at gunpoint or (now) knifepoint, you think you have the right under the old "Magna Carta" to defend your own Family,Freedom,house and belongings?
I am sorry if I am offending you, but please get a grip and try not to make pussies out of decent law abiding people who know what to do when the sh.. hits the fan.

Rock Collector,

Knives are used in the majority of murders and robberies in this country.
Why don't you, as a public spirited citizen, attack this great problem first.
You could start 'Knife Control Australia' and demand a Knife Buyback, import resrictions, registration of all knives and the licensing of all knife owners.
Not to mention strict safekeeping laws and the prohibition of keeping any knife for self-protection.

Think how safe you could make Australia. You would go down in history as a Great Australian.