Surely, surely the events in Connecticut finally tip the balance of the gun control argument forever in favour of the government taking control of this diabolical situation.

An utter tragedy that simply must, in my opinion, lead to government (if not societal) action.

My thoughts and wishes go out to the poor families of those children, the children who survived but will be scarred for life and many of the general U.S. population who simply live in fear.

Surely, surely the events in Connecticut finally tip the balance of the gun control argument forever in favour of the government taking control of this diabolical situation.

I am always amazed at the ingenuity of the gun lobby to find advantage in the face of apparent adversity. In this case, I fully expect that the argument will be that this situation would have been mitigated if the 5yo's had been in possession of guns so that they could have returned fire.

I think the problem for gun control is that too many like owning guns, so they are in denial about the best possible solution - they just don't want to go there. Also the self-defence argument does seem to get strengthened by these sort of events.

I am always amazed at the ingenuity of the gun lobby to find advantage in the face of apparent adversity. In this case, I fully expect that the argument will be that this situation would have been mitigated if the 5yo's had been in possession of guns so that they could have returned fire.

I think the problem for gun control is that too many like owning guns, so they are in denial about the best possible solution - they just don't want to go there. Also the self-defence argument does seem to get strengthened by these sort of events.

Tim's right (sadly)

Expect there to be a large pre Xmas rush on guns as a result of this. K-Mart already counting the profits

Go figure

Surely, surely the events in Connecticut finally tip the balance of the gun control argument forever in favour of the government taking control of this diabolical situation.

An utter tragedy that simply must, in my opinion, lead to government (if not societal) action.

My thoughts and wishes go out to the poor families of those children, the children who survived but will be scarred for life and many of the general U.S. population who simply live in fear.

I was a shooter & I had sold my Rifle well before our massacre at Port Aurthur.

The Gun control was the only gutsy thing Howard did & he earnt my respect from that point.

I convinced my elderly dad to hand in his semi automatic 22, that he wanted to hand on to me, into police out of respect of the Port Aurthur Dead.

There is No need for semi automatics guns or Automatic weapons in todays society. Even for professionals. Single shot with scope should be enough for the hunters. No quickloads or anything, single shot.

All high caliber should be outlawed except for licensed Pro Hunters, & stored away from domestic areas.

Its TIME!

You cant take away an Americans guns .

These shootings happen so regularly now that they may have to think about changing their constitution .

Even then-where would America be without weaponry and wars?

You cant take away an Americans guns .

These shootings happen so regularly now that they may have to think about changing their constitution .

Even then-where would America be without weaponry and wars?

yeah, be like melbourne without footy

I was a shooter & I had sold my Rifle well before our massacre at Port Aurthur.

The Gun control was the only gutsy thing Howard did & he earnt my respect from that point.

I convinced my elderly dad to hand in his semi automatic 22, that he wanted to hand on to me, into police out of respect of the Port Aurthur Dead.

There is No need for semi automatics guns or Automatic weapons in todays society. Even for professionals. Single shot with scope should be enough for the hunters. No quickloads or anything, single shot.

All high caliber should be outlawed except for licensed Pro Hunters, & stored away from domestic areas.

Its TIME!

There are already some restrictions on types of weapons in the US but they vary considerably from state to state.

I agree that it's time, but it would be so hard to change.

We are talking about some seriously cemented values - it would be like changing the power points of every home.

Not impossible, but very very difficult.

The so called success of Port Arthur where all States agreed on tough uniform gun laws was soon changed within a couple of years where States granted exemption to interest groups (eg farmers).

In a gun shy country like Australia, the legacy of the PA killings at least had some impact....for a short time

The US is different. Whatever the Obama administration seeks to do and if he gets the ani guns deal through the US senate he is going to have to get 50 states to agree and implement.

This will take time and resolve of many parties to achieve.

Meanwhile the God fearing, National Rifle Association will continue to work hard in the background and as the this terrible tragedy fades from memory they will continue to lobby and "buy" federal and state governors.

All the US will have is dead children, impotent legislation and political rhetoric.

And everyone will sit back until on the radio......

"A man walked into a crowded shopping mall and opened fire on unsuspecting shoppers, killing 40 people and injuring another 60 people before turning the gun on himself......"

Obama is a dead set dreamer, no President will ever defeat the NRA, i bet he wouldnt take that stand before an election, the Yanks have something we dont, its called choices, over here our politicians do the thinking for us, Obamas kidding himself and he knows it.

Ummmmm.......If the US had choices then why are they beholden to the covert power of the NRA?

And I can see why politicans need to do the thinking for some of us.

Time for a dictator takeover Rhino. I wonder if Borat is free?

Ummmmm.......If the US had choices then why are they beholden to the covert power of the NRA?

And I can see why politicans need to do the thinking for some of us.

After PA, J howard decided to take everyones guns away, you tell me what did it achieve, FMD people are getting shot everyday in Western Sydney, all he did was take guns off people that do the rite thing, Drugs are illegal but everyone still gets there hands on them, why didnt Obama have the balls to say this a few months ago after that nutcase ran in the picture cinema, because there was election coming up, the politicians are thinking for you, not me.

Surely, surely the events in Connecticut finally tip the balance of the gun control argument forever in favour of the government taking control of this diabolical situation.

An utter tragedy that simply must, in my opinion, lead to government (if not societal) action.

My thoughts and wishes go out to the poor families of those children, the children who survived but will be scarred for life and many of the general U.S. population who simply live in fear.

It is a diabolical situation and despite the tragedy in Connecticut it will more than likely take a lot to change the US's embedded gun culture. As sad and depressing as it is, it may take another tragedy or two (or more) before any significant change in control and culture is achieved.

My thoughts and wishes go out to all families from all tragic events such as these. Home and abroad.

After PA, J howard decided to take everyones guns away, you tell me what did it achieve, FMD people are getting shot everyday in Western Sydney, all he did was take guns off people that do the rite thing, Drugs are illegal but everyone still gets there hands on them, why didnt Obama have the balls to say this a few months ago after that nutcase ran in the picture cinema, because there was election coming up, the politicians are thinking for you, not me.

Firstly its alot harder to get a gun in Australia legally than it is in the US. There are also severe restrictions and prohibitions on automated weapons in the US. Australia is clearly safe place than the US based on per capita gun murders and assaults.

If you have not worked out the NRA heavily funds both sides of politics in the US. And its not just Obama...its congress. And given the statements made by some pro gun congressman "If only the teacher had an M4.....) there is serious ingrained attitude issue in the US.

By the way what your solution beyond the moaning?

After PA, J Howard decided to take everyones guns away, you tell me what did it achieve, FMD people are getting shot everyday in Western Sydney, all he did was take guns off people that do the rite thing.

The buy-back in Australia of automatic and semi-automatic guns, plus licensing and ownership restrictions, cut firearm suicides by 74%, or 200 lives a year. Firearm homicides have dropped by 59%. The proportion of Australian homes with a gun is now only 8% (mainly farms), which is half what it was before the buy-back. Easy access to guns in a household causes situations where there is argument and violence to escalate to dangerous levels ... often ending in 'get the gun first and think later'.

Easy access to guns, particularly semi-automatic weapons, by intelligent but low-esteem young male 'loners' is the common denominator with Newtown, Port Arthur, Columbine and a host of other US school shootings.

So perhaps the greatest thing the buy-back achieved is that there hasn't been a mass shooting in Australia since Port Arthur over 16 years ago.

Finally a cartoon about the American gun psyche. One gun lobbyist has already said "if the teachers were armed with M-16s they would have avoided the tragedy".

Texan Republican congressman Louie Gohmert

"I wish to God she [slain school principal Dawn Hochsprung] had had an M-4 [assault rifle] in her office, locked up so when she heard gunfire, she pulls it out … and takes him out and takes his head off before he can kill those precious kids."

Half a Country is in denial.

"the right to keep and bear arms" applied to 19th century America, we're in the 21st century now, time to get with the times. After reading the various articles effectively its the NRA that run the country, being silent financial donors to various political parties and congressmen and women. They're the ones that have blood on their hands.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims.

"the right to keep and bear arms" applied to 19th century America, we're in the 21st century now, time to get with the times.

Indeed, the 'right to bear arms' was written into the US Constitution not for self-protection but in the context of the citizenry having the means to overthrow a tyrannical government (i.e. at that time the British).

I'm sure it wasn't meant to be machine guns and assault weapons to overthrow a democratically-elected 21st-century government.

Perhaps if they want their constitutional right, all the arms US citizens ought to be able to bear now are muskets.

Obama is a dead set dreamer, no President will ever defeat the NRA, i bet he wouldnt take that stand before an election, the Yanks have something we dont, its called choices, over here our politicians do the thinking for us, Obamas kidding himself and he knows it.

Over there you can be a complete moron and still express your views.

Over there you can be a complete moron and still express your views.

All they need is some good moderators, eh biffo?

As delicately as possible, why must this particular incident do what all previous incidents have not?

Also, I wouldn't call them Shirley.

The buy-back in Australia of automatic and semi-automatic guns, plus licensing and ownership restrictions, cut firearm suicides by 74%, or 200 lives a year. Firearm homicides have dropped by 59%. The proportion of Australian homes with a gun is now only 8% (mainly farms), which is half what it was before the buy-back. Easy access to guns in a household causes situations where there is argument and violence to escalate to dangerous levels ... often ending in 'get the gun first and think later'.

Easy access to guns, particularly semi-automatic weapons, by intelligent but low-esteem young male 'loners' is the common denominator with Newtown, Port Arthur, Columbine and a host of other US school shootings.

So perhaps the greatest thing the buy-back achieved is that there hasn't been a mass shooting in Australia since Port Arthur over 16 years ago.

Finally a cartoon about the American gun psyche. One gun lobbyist has already said "if the teachers were armed with M-16s they would have avoided the tragedy".

Good post, maurie.

Indeed, the 'right to bear arms' was written into the US Constitution not for self-protection but in the context of the citizenry having the means to overthrow a tyrannical government (i.e. at that time the British).

I'm sure it wasn't meant to be machine guns and assault weapons to overthrow a democratically-elected 21st-century government.

Perhaps if they want their constitutional right, all the arms US citizens ought to be able to bear now are muskets.

this is the thing..ive even had interesting arguments with Americans who dont even understand their own laws etc. The "right to bear arms " was their to legitimise and to some extent exempt from punishment ( as to consequences ) the keeping and use of firearms against a common national enemy in times of war but where the holder of said arm wasnt a legitimate conscript in any army. It served to allow quasi militias to arm themselves.

How this has been taken to other extemes quite simply plays with my head. Seemingly intelligent folk there just dont get it, or rather dont want to get it lest someone take their 'toys' away.

They used to say of OZ, "theyre a weird mob ' The yanks...just plain DUMB !!

mjt - Respectfully, you are missing the point.

We all know that those that want guns will always be able to get them but the restrictions we have lessen the ability of the mentally unstable and the temporarily unstable (domestic violence, etc) from easily obtaining guns. It also means that with a few smart restrictions, Obama can do something to keep less destructive guns, with shorter magazines, in the hands of those that are able to get around the waiting periods (which don't apply in private sales, and gun shows.

If Obama can make it illegal for anyone other than rural land owners, and certified hunting club members from having anything other than handguns he has done a great job and they will see theses events disappear and be much smaller in scale.

The US will be overrun by the Zombie apocolypse in 2453 before they give up their handguns...

As delicately as possible, why must this particular incident do what all previous incidents have not?

Innocent vunerable defenceless children.

Its make a complete lie of the right to defend yourself with a gun.

BTW, rather eerie coincidence that Martin Bryant lived in a suburb of Hobart called New Town.