Australian politicians agree on gun laws

15 Dec 2012, 5:49 pm   -   Source: AAP
Share This
0 
+ Comment
28
Both sides of Australian politics agree the US must consider legislating for tougher gun control following the deadly school shooting in the US. (AAP)

Both sides of Australian politics agree the US must consider legislating for tougher gun control following the deadly school shooting in the US. (AAP)

Both sides of Australian politics agree the US must consider legislating for tougher gun control following the massacre at a Connecticut school.

RELATED

Both sides of Australian politics agree the US must consider legislating for tougher gun control following the massacre at a Connecticut school.

A gunman on Friday shot dead 20 small children and six teachers at the Newtown school, in one of the worst incidents of its kind in US history.

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop told ABC TV she was sure US President Barack Obama, members of Congress and senators would want to debate the issue.

"There has to be an end to this kind of senseless killing," she said.

"I'm sure there will be a search for the cause, for the meaning and a debate will ensue in the United States about what they can do to stop this kind of tragedy occurring again."

Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen said he hoped Mr Obama would tighten gun laws now that he was into his second and final term.

"I certainly hope that America, as a society and under the leadership of the president, can tackle this issue," he told Sky News.

"You can't say there's no link between lax gun laws and these events occurring far too regularly, in my view."

Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer said a person was 15 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia.

The veteran National Party member supported the Howard government introducing tough gun control measures opposed by much of his party following the Port Arthur massacre in April 1996.

"Surely this time congress and the administration will stand up to the National Rifle Association and fix the broken US public policy settings on firearms," Mr Fischer told AAP.

Malcolm Turnbull tweeted his support for tougher gun control in the US.

"Listening to President Obama on #AM who could not weep with him and all Americans at yet another tragedy. When will America act on guns?" he wrote on the social media platform Twitter.

Greens leader Christine Milne said she was pleased to hear Mr Obama talking about taking meaningful action after the "devastating shooting".

"After Port Arthur massacre, gun control achieved because of tri-partite support. In USA the Republicans would need to support it. Hard to see," she tweeted.
 

Gun Laws , US Shooting

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | 3 | Next 10

us gun laws contention

chillout 5.56 - from springside, 4 months ago

i think that australias laws are ridiculous though i think americas are too far in the other direction, however, it is a constitutional right of theirs and they see it as part of their countries fundamental laws and that is fair enough , though them telling us that we cannot provide input on their problems is hypocritical, they have more input in world affairs then anyone else( not saying thats a bad thing) they should be open to advice

Faulty maths?

Pottering - from Perth, 4 months ago

jerry smith - from Jacksonville is in dire need of a remedial maths course.

Oz Gun laws

Thomas - from Goldfields, 5 months ago

No more comments published on this issue hmmm......Sad to notice that peoples' honest feelings and opinions dont make it to the open. Two recent shootings again, in Sydney and in Adelaide - GO AUSTRALIAN GUN LAWS!!!!! U.T.S.

political tokenism

phw - from canberra, 5 months ago

jumping on the bandwagon, even is warranted, is easier than addressing the causes of violence. The total contempt towards common decency, alternative policies and denegration of the Australian government even at international level by the liberals is a good start convincing Australians that a stake in the country has no worth. Political apathy, untamed anger, verbal extremes ... what next? Ask yourself about the impact of your behavior on ordinary paople.

The Reasons...

westpacwes68 - from NYC USA, 5 months ago

Could care less what your politicians ay-most politicians talk alot about things they can't comprehend. Guns are not the issue in the US-mental health care and the culture rot from Hollywood and the music industry is. The progressives eliminated the Mental Health system out of this Country in the 70's allowing some very dangerous people onto the streets. As far as the music industry goes listen to what your kids are listening to-it's self explanatory nothing but violense, sex and killing cops.

Mr.

jerry smith - from Jacksonville Florida, 5 months ago

Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer said a person was 15 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia? Population USA 312M compared to 22M Australia. Good math. Does than mean Australia's seizure of guns has none effect? Stats could show this makes crime far worse in your country.

Deterrence

IdahoMan - from Idaho, US, 5 months ago

"However they have never used their "right" to challenge any government of the day." -Poiny You know Poiny, the city at the base of Grand Coulee Dam has not suffered a catastrophic flood in a while. Maybe we aught to blow up the dam, it's obviously not doing anything to prevent flooding. And how interesting you try to make a Nazi Germany reference. Look up "JPFO and "Death by 'Gun Control'" sometime.

An idea

Redneck Hilljack - from Indiana, USA, 5 months ago

Why don't y'all worry about Australia and let us worry about the USA? You folks don't want guns, FINE. I could care less what you do in YOUR country.

Guns Death Down

bobloblaw - from Sydney, 5 months ago

Crime in the USA has fallen by more than 1/3 since the early 1990s

Politicians are vultures

Dan - from Florida, US, 5 months ago

Your pols should mind their own business.

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | 3 | Next 10

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.