America’s gun violence problem actually is producing policy reform. It’s just that most of this activity is happening on the state level and has received little attention in the national media.
Winston Churchill famously suggested that: You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else. Speaking with his characteristic mix of the compassionate and cerebral…
If we want to develop truly effective policies to reduce gun violence and its impacts on individuals, families and communities, we need to start basing Australian debate on Australian facts.
South Africa’s homicide rates have declined consistently since democracy, but remain among the highest in the world. They are about four times the global average at more than 30 per 100,000 people.
We should not downplay the significant contribution to early mortality posed by previously law-abiding gun owners who, in the heat of the moment, decide to kill.
Researchers explain why gun violence is a public health emergency, why parent often underestimate how easily their kids could access a gun – and why we know so little about how to solve this problem.
What interventions might be most useful for reducing the incidence of mass shootings? What lessons should other countries really learn from Australia’s experience?
Other ‘advanced nations’ make it far harder for someone like the Charleston killer to get his hands on a Glock semiautomatic handgun or any other kind of firearm.
The rate of fatal shootings has fallen in Australia, the US and other nations in recent decades. Yet anti- and pro-gun ideology still makes it hard to have a sensible discussion about gun violence.
The recommendations of the joint review into the Martin Place siege confirm Australia is on the right path with tight gun controls but needs to clamp down on illegal firearms in the community.