Keefe Report: “Don't Let Them Register Your Guns, Mate”

by
posted on October 12, 2015
aussie_gun_claw.jpg

As politicians thrash around for "doing something” about deranged, dejected homicidal narcissists, many have settled on the Australian model of gun control. But few Americans understand what that really means. In 1996 one of the most horrific mass murders perpetrated by a single deranged individual occurred at Port Arthur in Tasmania. Within weeks, then Prime Minister John Howard railroaded through a Draconian gun-control bill.

Australian gun owners were not as organized at the time as National Rifle Association of America (although the Shooting Sports Association of Australia today is very effective). Also, as a former British colony, self-defense was not a valid reason to own a firearm in the eyes of the state. And, of course, the Australians have no Bill of Rights that includes the Second Amendment. Like many other former British colonies after World War I, the fear of Bolshevism spurred restrictions on handgun ownership. Australia also had a licensing scheme in place for all firearms.

The new law rushed through the state governments “Down Under” not only banned the future sale of certain categories of firearms, but put the full force of the Australian government behind confiscation of entire categories of guns from law-abiding firearm owners.

The government voted to pass a tax on all Australians to pay for the one-time “buy back," which begs the question: How does the government “buy back” something that never belonged to it? This was the personal property of law-abiding Australian subjects.

And what guns were banned? Semi-automatic handguns, all self-loading firearms and all pump-action firearms. Ruger 10/22s? Straight to the smelter. Semi-automatic-only service rifles, as used in high-power rifle marksmanship competition, had to go into the shredder. All semi-automatic shotguns, including the Browning A5, too, had to be handed in and destroyed. And the two most popular shotguns in the history of the world—the Remington Model 870 and Mossberg Model 500—were confiscated and destroyed. All of them—because the government had the name of each gun owner, the type of gun and its serial number. The image above appeared on the cover of the Nov/Dec 1998 American Rifleman and shows confiscated firearms that once belonged to Australian citizens being destroyed in mass quantity.  

So when anti-gun politicians say "they don't want to take anyone's guns away" but bring up the Australian model, or even worse the British model, they are being untruthful. The heart of Australian gun-control is the confiscation of firearms from peaceable gun owners.

An Australian acquaintance was recently visiting the United States. This was a man who had served in the Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam, and had never committed a crime in his life. And he recounted, one by one, his guns that were taken from him—which included some that had been in his family for generations—and he told me in no uncertain terms, "Don't let them register your guns, Mate. Because once they do, they can come for them anytime they want.”

Latest

Rock Island Armory TM22
Rock Island Armory TM22

Review: Rock Island Armory TM22

In 2021, Rock Island Armory shook things up in the defensive-pistol world when it launched the aluminum-based STK100, and in 2022 the company continues its commitment to “Total Metal” firearm construction with the TM22 rimfire rifle.

The Armed Citizen® March 27, 2023

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2023: Marlin Model 336 Classic

The first Marlin 336 introduced under Ruger's ownership will be the "Classic," and the model remains true to the original design, albeit with a few subtle updates.

In The Fold With ArmaLite

The Tech Files, dating back to the early 20th century, are a treasure trove for editorial researchers looking for unique firearm facts. File folders from the industry’s best-known manufacturers to the smallest of firms contain company literature, photographs, blueprints, drawings, schematics and more.

Product Preview: Peet SafeKeeping Dryer

Peet is primarily known for its line of shoe dryers and odor-eliminating products, but the company also offers a dehumidifier model intended for use inside gun cabinets and safes, to help fend off the formation of rust and the damage to your firearms that it can cause.

The .380 ACP: History & Performance

Despite disagreements surrounding the .380 ACP cartridge's performance, its history shows it to be a popular, effective round, because people have always enjoyed small, easy-to-carry pistols that can be quickly deployed.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.