The NRA Reckons Australia’s Anti-Gun Laws Are “A Mistake”; Australia Tells NRA To Go Fuck Itself

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8. Australians own as many guns as in 1996

A study has found Australians now own as many guns as they did at the time of the Port Arthur shootings in 1996.

More than 1 million guns were destroyed in the aftermath of the massacre, but research shows Australians have restocked over the past 10 years, importing more than 1 million firearms.

Mick Matheson from Sporting Shooter Magazine says more people are licensed shooters than in the past, which has made a big difference to the number of guns in Australia. "The interesting thing is that at the same time gun crimes have still gone down," he said. We've got more shooters, we've got more firearms, but we've got fewer crimes.

"Suicide by firearm had been dropping for more than 10 years before that period, and it continued to drop immediately afterwards, which counts for the biggest fall in firearms deaths. That corresponds with a massive public campaign about suicide and suicide prevention.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-14/australians-own-as-many-guns-as-in-1996/4463150

One overlooked aspect of Australia's campaign to reduce gun deaths is their focus on suicide. Regardless of one's views on gun control, I think an anti-suicide campaign is desperately needed in America.