In a move that surprises literally no-one…
The high-profile stabbings at a shopping mall and church could result in a crackdown on knife ownership in Australia, but its also prompted a wave of criticism over the country’s current laws, which make it incredibly difficult for the average citizen to possess a firearm, and almost never for self-defense. Concealed carry? Forget about it. If you’re a rural farmer you might be able to possess a pump-action shotgun to protect your family and your livestock, but almost everyone else is out of luck; even security guards.
“At least the cleaner’s got a broom, but a security guard won’t be carrying anything except a radio,” said Ben Reis, a casual security guard from Newcastle, in a phone interview.
“I’ve been in a shopping centre and I’ve caught people stealing and I can’t do anything, I can just watch them walk,” he added.
The attacks have also lifted the lid on growing public unease about non-gun violence that drove the state government of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, to double prison terms for public knife crimes months earlier.
Sounds like a pretty good argument to allow people to protect themselves, doesn’t it? Not to many Australian politicians, apparently.