Since passing restrictive gun controls in Australia, the hoplophobes have now come after the swords.

*full story*

Just goes to show that the hoplophobes are lying when they say they just want 'moderate' controls. Compromise with them just a wee little bit and then they will come back for a little bit more. Their aim is to gradually ban all weapons from private ownership.

I know that many here are blade culture rather than gun culture. Well these hoplophobes will come after OUR blades once they have banned all the guns.

Don't compromise your rights to keep and bear arms. Join the NRA.

Such a load of crap. They ain't gonna be satisfied until they've banned martial arts instruction.

Where is this bullshit being proposed anyway? They should see my room, I have my collection lined up between my mattress and the wall.
That doesn't even cover what I have in my closet and the gun in my nightstand.
This is fucking stupid though. Violent crimes are occasionally commited with swords, however; just as with gun owners it's the criminals and mentally incompetent people who are responsible. Not people who collect swords (and guns) for martial arts practice and as an object of cultural heritage.
These kind of collecters of weapons are aware of the resposibility of owning a lethal weapon and would never use a weapon in their collection to hurt someone unless in self-defence.

This happened in Australia. I knew they just passed some very strict gun control laws a few short years ago. I did not know that they went after edged weapons until just now.

Anway, here is the link


http://news.com.au/common/story_page...5E1702,00.html

Because of all the crimes committed at sword-point, right?

Firstly.. our culture is very different. As in, it isn't common for people to have guns in the house - to the point their usually only found in farms and bush areas etc, for rabbit and possibly kangaroo control.

Though on that also.. the states of Victoria & NSW are very different aswell, in the form of criminal activity, and the normal residential... in that things like Drive By shootings, car jackings etc, - all with the use of firearms are common in Sydney,.. whereas in Melbourne, less of the Criminals use firearms.

Anyway, outside of all of that,.. to give you an idea - myself & most people I knew (growing up in White Anglo Saxon Middle Class australia), never had guns in our homes, our relatives homes, or our friends homes.

Its not common for us to want a gun.. put it that way.

Anyway.. if you liked that Six,.. you'll love this...
The Australian Federal Police - almost our version of the FBI, are currently appearing in court in NSW, on charges of growing & distribution of drugs - as in the Federal Police were setting up their own drug ring !!!
Anyway... while appearing in court, their further in trouble now, with the case being referred to the federal (national) courts, for forging a medical certificate explaining why their "star" witness cannot apear in court.
It also begs the question.. if a person is actually "sick" then, they wouldnt find the need to forge these - so I'd have to believe, their trying to protect their witness from appearing ?!? God knows, whats really going on..

Interesting Federal Police we have,.. and interesting case
but read the story..

I know. Eloi.

Corporate Pig,

I would say its more of an urban -vs- rural issue in Australia. The guys I know from Australia are hunters and shooters. We have some here in Seattle and there are some that visit the shooting forums that I frequent. They are not happy with the draconian gun laws that were passed recently. Such laws do nothing to stop crime, which has actually increased since the gun control laws went into effect.

Anyway, I heard it said that it can be called a police state when only the police have guns. Something to think about dude.

Amazing blanket statement there, Six...those are mostly faulty and illogical...

The actions of these hoplophobes have backed my assertions.

In Austrialia. Not everywhere else. And its only certain ones who have done this. Etcetera.

It is possibly a urban vs rural issue here, but either way...
I have no interest in owning a gun, nor do most people I know,...
As to Australia being a police state... hardly, America is a closer example there.

Police state?
It is one thing for an individual to not want a gun. Its something else again when the state forbids it for everone.

BTW, I am curious as to who you know. Do you socialize outside of the coffeehouse marxist scene? Do all your friends wear ponytails and birkinstocks?
Have you ever lived outside of the city you grew up in?
Just asking here.

Hmm...not all those in favor of "moderate" controls want to ban all weapons- I hope that's not what you meant.

That said, the whole thing seems ridiculous in that, even if you believe that there is a widespread sword-based crime threat (chuckle), the people committing said crimes will not be the ones following the rules. It's the same argument I have against banning guns (except of course for the threat thing - guns do pose a large threat).

First of all...
There are many characteristics which would be used to describe a Police state - some of which are evident in both the US & Australia today.
This though does not actually mean either are a 'Police state' so to speak.

The Coffeehouse Marxist scene ?? (Didn't know that it existed.. ?)
You seem to have such a short memory as to (my lack) of a Political alignment.

As to the city I grew up in... well it was mainly Melbourne.
I lived in LA (USA) for 3 months when I was 7..
I lived in Adelaide for 6 months when I was about 9 yrs old.
I lived in Sydney (Aust) for 6 months while working - at age 21..
and then returned to the place I felt most comfortable in.

Seperate to this,.. what kind of a stupid question is...
what, are you trying to work out if I "associate" with undesirable characters ?

So who do U Know ?
In a country like Australia, with a polulation of approx 24 Million...
do you really think we'll know the same people.

swift_epiphany,

Guns don't pick themselves up and shoot people. Its only people that have murderous intent.

Guns are a good thing when in the hands of good people.

Marxist Pig,

There are many people like you in all the cities of the Western World. Usually reek of patchouli oil and congregate in coffeeshops near the college campuses.

The label of anarchist does not impress me because the vast majority of "anarchists" are really the worst sort of commie control freaks.

I know that. I think you missed my point - which was simply that guns are more of a public threat than swords, that's all. Maybe I didn't phrase it well?