Gun Control : What Australia Got Right (and Wrong)

In the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre, Prime Minister John Howard swiftly transformed Australia’s firearm laws. Gun Control analyzes whether the Australian Government achieved its intention and what it might have done in response to the massacre, and didn’t. It examines the decisions made in 1996 to deal with the Australian community’s fear of firearms and the possibility of another shooting spree in a public place. This book considers the reality of community fears of lax firearm regulation, the reasonable expectation that people are protected from harm but also the entitlement of citizens to conduct their business and enjoy their recreation free from unnecessary government interference.

• Examines the history of gun control in Australia
• Analyzes the impact of the National Firearms Agreement
• Explores the political and social consequences of gun control policies

For scholars, policymakers, and general readers interested in Australian politics and social issues.