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Australia has announced national gun amnesty, allowing people to hand in illegal or unregistered firearms to authorities. The move is aimed at curbing growing numbers of illegal weapons and comes amid an increased terrorist threat.
[...] The program starts on July 1 and within three months – until September 30 – anyone who possesses an unwanted or unregistered firearm, or a firearm-related item such as ammunition, can legally dispose of or register their firearm at "approved drop-off points in each State and Territory", without fear of being prosecuted, Justice Minister said.
Outside the amnesty period, however, those who are caught with illegal guns could face a fine of up to AU$280,000 (US$212,000), up to 14 years in prison and a criminal record.
“My expectation is it will probably not be the case that we will have hardened criminals who have made a big effort to get a hold on illegal guns would necessarily hand them in. The purpose is to reduce the number of unregistered and illicit firearms in the community,” Keenan said, as cited by AAP.
[...] Earlier this month, the authorities announced plans to build its first prison solely for militants with extreme views to prevent the radicalization of other inmates.
Source: RT
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Monday June 19 2017, @07:06AM (6 children)
And yet, despite your 'Murican Freedom, you feel you must post AC to hide behind the veil of anonymity, lest you place yourself in danger...
You do realize that the time for you to take up arms against your corrupt government was decades ago? So, how's that going for you? Just when will it get bad enough for 'the people' to actually rise up? If you think the answer is 'ever', you're dreaming. The Patriot Act and Department of Homeland Security are two of the most oppressive anti-citizen measures in the Western World, and you still think the 2nd Amendment gives you freedom?
Australia's a nice place - you should visit sometime. Higher median wages, lower unemployment, lower crime, better health cover, greater access to education, lower corruption, much lower death-by-cop. And much less chance of being shot. Over the past 20 years, there have been ZERO mass shootings in Australia. Sure, you might have to fend off the odd Drop Bear or two, but they help to keep the spiders and snakes under control so it's a balancing act.
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Monday June 19 2017, @08:15AM (2 children)
Blimey, funniest thing I never saw was a drop bear chasing after a hoop snake downhill, strewth!
(Score: 2) by Kell on Monday June 19 2017, @08:38AM (1 child)
You think it's funny, but a dropbear killed my family.
Scientists ask questions. Engineers solve problems.
(Score: 5, Informative) by MostCynical on Monday June 19 2017, @12:32PM
That's why you shouldn't pitch your tent under any trees where drop-bears might live.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 1) by j-beda on Monday June 19 2017, @03:22PM
Not quite zero, but certainly better than before 1997: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_in_Australia [wikipedia.org]
2002, 2011, 2014 compared to 96, 96, 93, 92, 91, 90, 88, 87, 87, 87, 84, 84, 81, 76
Of course it depends on one's definition of "mass shooting". Tighten the definition to exclude the most recent few and one would also need to exculde some of the earlier ones.
Overall, I think the Australian ban was a good idea.
And the population seems to agree, even though significan number of Americans think it was a bad idea, strangely enough.
(Score: 1) by redneckmother on Monday June 19 2017, @04:36PM (1 child)
"you should visit sometime"
I'd love to! Can I bring my firearms? (grin)
Actually, I'd love to see the places my uncles were stationed (US 1st Cav) during WWII. I'd like to meet the descendants of the friends they made, and enjoy some REAL beer with them.
Mas cerveza por favor.
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Tuesday June 20 2017, @01:18AM
If you want real beer keep flying stop off in New Zealand first then head back to Oz.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.