Hi guys,
The general media down here are socialist leaning, and there is a long term agenda to vilify any shooting related activities.
Combine this with a government that is based on a flawed Political system and still treats its citizens like subjects that need constant hand holding "we know what you want, even if it is not what you want" and throw in a big influence from an extreme left wing environmentalist party called the Greens (let's ban fishing, horse riding in national parks, and anything else fun) and you have Australia.
The photos and the ruckus are just an example of what we as shooters are hit with every day. When our olympic shooters get gold, they are public heros, when the Olympics are over they are dirt...no hesitation. Anyone touching a gun is tainted according to the media.
Our shooting population is about 5% I think. That is registered numbers, there would be a lot more out on farms etc. that have never bothered, but penalties are severe, so it is a lottery.
As to handguns, they are evil baby killers according to our Government, and are strictly controlled, available only to Clubs members (after about 8 months of wating). Outside of Clubs, private individuals cannot have possession of one , unless it seems you are from an Outlaw Motorcycle gang, or a Middle Eastern crime family, then it seems to be o.k.
The official response to these gangs is to put more onerous laws onto the legitimate shooters...sounds fair doesn't it?
Our military is bleeding dry, constant budget cuts and outright slaps in the face to serving troops (removal of right to free flight home to visit family for troops stationed away from home is the latest one) means the incentive to join becomes less and less each year.
I could go on for a lot more, but my blood pressure is rising...
Oh one final thing...
Maybe we should invade them, easy Target
You'd have a heck of a lot of help from a lot of Aussies...