Sunrise program compares Australian and American ‘gun cultures’
Channel 7 (Sydney), Sunrise, 11/06/2009 08:07am
Is an American-style gun culture acceptable in Australia? Sunrise replays part of yesterday’s interview with US Pastor Ken, who had a gun open day at church.
Koch reads emails from viewers offering a range of opinions. He introduces Bob Katter, Independent MP, and Samantha Lee, Coalition for Gun Control. Katter says we need guns to control toads, rabbits and pigs. He says it is a simple proposition about the individual having the right to protect their home. He says police cannot respond quickly enough.
Lee says the law recognises that there are legitimate reasons for owning firearms. She says the laws were changed after the Port Arthur massacre. She says they are concerned over semi-automatic handguns. She says they want a balance between public safety and the needs of shooters.
Katter says NSW and Victoria have more shootings than Queensland, despite their strict gun laws. He says the US has a high death rate, but they are coming from the states with the most Draconian gun laws.
Lee says there is an issue between culture and laws. She says shooters do not need semi-automatic handguns.
Katter says the anti-gun lobby will never rest.
Koch says 66% of people says Australia should not have a US-style gun culture.
Interviewee: Samantha Lee, Coalition for Gun Control; Bob Katter, Independent MP.
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