In a recent address, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the effectiveness of Australia’s gun regulations, noting that Australians do not possess an inherent legal right to firearms. This came as a response to a tragic shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which resulted in at least 18 fatalities and numerous injuries.
During her speech at an official luncheon with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the State Department, Harris praised the Australian approach to gun control. She stated that the alarming rate of gun violence-related deaths among American children indicates an urgent need for change. “We must acknowledge and address the reality we face. In the U.S., gun violence continues to deeply affect our communities,” Harris remarked. “We can learn from nations like Australia, who have shown there are other ways,” she added, receiving significant applause.
The Australian government’s official records emphasize that there isn’t an inherent right to own a gun in Australia, differing from the U.S. stance. To possess a firearm in Australia, one must validate a genuine reason, with self-defense not being accepted as one. Additionally, gun ownership requires a license, and every firearm must be individually registered. This differs from policies in countries like New Zealand and Canada, where once licensed, individuals can purchase firearms without further checks.
Australia’s rigorous gun regulations were strengthened in 1996 after several high-profile mass shootings. The subsequent National Firearms Agreement of 1996 restricted access to certain firearms, necessitated gun registration, and set more stringent storage protocols. The government also launched a compulsory firearm buyback campaign, leading to the retrieval of nearly 700,000 privately-owned guns. Reflecting on these changes in a 2013 article for the New York Times, ex-Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the regulations not only decreased gun-related homicides but also impacted the suicide rates positively.
This discourse follows the devastating incident where Robert Card, a trained firearm instructor with a history of mental health challenges, attacked people in a Lewiston bowling alley and a nearby eatery. Card, who also served as a petroleum supply specialist in the Army Reserve, is currently being pursued by over 350 officers from various law enforcement departments.
The White House has yet to issue a statement regarding this event.