Democracy is not the only thing that died.  Also freedom of speech and the right to privacy (due to increased surveillance powers that are sure to come).

I think we should also acknowledge the 50 innocent members of our community that died as this is the biggest tragedy.

We can't do much about the 50 dead people other than ensure that the madman who did it never sees the light of day and support the relatives of the victims.  The other things that died are under our control.

Looking at the history in Australia when John Howard did the same thing one thing that happened in was that enough voters felt disenfranchised to support a minor party (the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party).  Minor parties can hold the balance of power under MMP.

I don't think we are ever getting our semi auto center-fires back but we can at least hope that a political party emerges who can represent us.

It's also worth not forgetting two organisations that threw us under the bus - Fish and Fame and Hunting and Fishing.  I think F&G were just relieved that 5 shot semi auto shotguns survives and H&F just saw dollar signs for all the replacement rifles.

MassiveAttack wrote on Apr 15^th, 2019 at 7:50pm:


You're bang on there. I won't buy items from Hunting and Fishing stores now. Highly doubt it'll make any difference to them with the amount I spend a year though 

XRhunter wrote on Apr 10^th, 2019 at 10:31am:


Theres the difference. In one sweep of the broom they are removing a personal freedom, and in the next they are adding a personal freedom. (choice).

When I think about it, thats a lot of what Politicians do isnt it. They have to do something all day in Parliament. The obvious thing is make new legislation.   

Reminds me of when I was managing properties. When the owners arrived for their annual holiday they always wanted to leave their mark. You know, leave something behind or make an improvment as it was their property and they wanted to mark the patch..

Easiest visible thing to do was pull out the chainsaw and cut down a tree. They certainly made a difference and someone else got to clean up the mess.