re: NZ to ban all assault arms, 'military-style semi-automatic weapons' immediately

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I actually live in Panania a suburb in Bankstown and I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve only ever seen a hunting rifle

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I used to work in the Bankstown Civic Tower for two years. I’d walk the two or three blocks from the train station to the office each morning and afternoon. In those two years, I just missed a gang fight in the park there where three people were stabbed, heard gunshots two or three times (one incident where a bullet hit an office window), and saw the aftermath of another shooting that occurred right in front of the cop shop. Bankstown is a shithole. I don;t say that lightly; I'll freely admit that my hometown of Baton Rouge has become a shithole. Glad I got out of the city and spent some good years on the south coast around Huskisson.

It's just a matter or perception, what you grew up with, and what is familiar. You stated that you've never felt particularly unsafe in any places that you've been to in Australia, and that you attribute some of that to the restrictive gun laws. You grew up there; you are used to that. On the flip side, I've never felt particularly unsafe in any place I've been to in the United States. I attribute that to our gun laws which says I can carry a gun with me (and often do). I grew up shooting rifles; I got a .22 when I was eight years old. There were times, however, I was uncomfortable in certain places in Sydney when I wish I had a gun, just like you would be uncomfortable in certain places in the United States because a number of people around you do have a gun.

I'm not ragging on Australia; it's my second home and I love the country. My son is even considering joining the Australian military one day (duel citizenship). What it comes down to is the person, not always the tool.

EDIT: I write that with the assumption that you are a native there. Apologies if you are not. Are you American living over there?

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If America banned every tool used in a major terrorist attack we would no longer have cars, box trucks, or airplanes.

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and pressure cookers.