AUSTRALIA: Study: Gun Laws Failed to Improve Safety

AUSTRALIA: Study: Gun Laws Failed to Improve Safety
Date: Oct 23, 2006 9:01 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-can-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca
Sent: October 23, 2006 8:51 AM
To: cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca
Subject: Cdn-Firearms Digest V9 #984

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:42:33 -0600 (CST)
From: John Howat <howat@xtra.co.nz>
Subject: Australian gun laws fail

The International Coalition for Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) has
issued the following release:


Media Release October 23 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Study: Gun Laws Failed to Improve Safety

Research published in the prestigious British Journal of Criminology
shows Australia's tough 1996 gun laws did not affect rates of
firearm-related deaths (see summary below).

The peer-reviewed study was co-authored by International Coalition for
Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) Chair, Samara McPhedran, and Dr
Jeanine Baker, South Australian President of the Sporting Shooters
Association of Australia (SSAA).

Ms McPhedran said "Reducing the number of legally held firearms, banning
certain firearms, and increasing the requirements that must be met to
legally own firearms has not produced the desired outcome of a safer
society."

The lack of effect of a massive buyback and associated legislative
changes has significant implications for public policy in Australia and
internationally. The authors highlight the importance of measures such
as supporting women trying to escape domestic violence, and breaking the
'cycle of abuse'.

Ms McPhedran noted that "We cannot say firearm suicide rates were
affected by the laws. Social changes and emphasis on prevention
initiatives appear to have lowered suicides using all methods."

References:

British Journal of Criminology:

http://bjc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/azl084v1


AIC: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi151.html





The Second Amendment IS Homeland Security !