Bob:

Maybe the Aussies can provide more detail. I have checked the Sydney Morning
Herald for the past week. The only story on firearms that is remotely relevant
was this from the 29th June:

People with illegal firearms have three months to turn them over to police or
face up to 14 years jail under tough new NSW gun laws. Police Minister Paul
Whelan said from today illegal-gun owners had three months to hand in their
weapons under a State Government amnesty. `` which suggests that any
registration is a) state and not federal and b) only coming into place now at
least in NSW.

I looked up the Australian Newsnet and no story either. Methinks it is likely
the usual silly propaganda you find every so often on this issue, but let's wait
until our Antipodean friends wake up and can respond.

Sally

"Dr. Bob Lamb" wrote:

> CAN ANYONE VALIDATE THIS MESSAGE? IS IT A PROPAGANDA PLOY OR FACTUAL?
> Bob Lamb   ...deep in the heart of Texas
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Platzer [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 11:17 PM
> To: Robert Lamb
> Subject: Fw: Message from Australia
>
> > > >Hi Yanks,
> > > >
> > > >I thought you all would like to see the real figures from Down Under.
> > > >
> > > >It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by
> a
> > > >new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by our
> own
> > > >government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500
> million
> > > >dollars.
> > > >
> > > >The first year results are now in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2
> > > >percent,. Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide,
> > > >armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent!) In the state of
> > > >Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. (Note
> > that
> > > >while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not
> and
> > > >criminals still possess their guns!)
> > > >
> > > >While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
> > armed
> > > >robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past
> 12
> > > >months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is
> > unarmed.
> > > >
> > > >There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of
> the
> > > >elderly. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public
> > safety
> > > >has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in
> > > >"successfully ridding Australian society of guns."
> > > >
> > > >You won't see this data on the American evening news or hear your
> > governor
> > > >or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information.
> > > >
> > > >The Australian experience proves it. Guns in the hands of honest
> citizens
> > > >save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect only the
> > > >law-abiding citizens.
> > > >
> > > >Take note Americans, before it's to late!
> > > >
> > > >PLEASE FORWARD TO EVERYONE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST!