Who knows?
Does infringing upon, or denying, the inalienable right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms, for personal protection, create an attractive atmosphere for random violence and/or tyranny? How many times must history provide THE answer to that question?
Firearm laws in Australia are enforced at a Federal and State level. Gun ownership is accessible to the civilian population, and those people must comply with 'genuine reasons' to obtain a 'Permit to Acquire' from their State government. 'Genuine Reasons' focus on either hunting and/or sport/target shooting (for Rifles), and do not include 'personal protection.'
Is it any wonder that a medieval terrorist organization would select a place like Rebecca Peters' home turf as a venue for their media circus?
In his Daily Briefing on Friday, Albert Mohler reminded us that we cannot know the heart of men. We can, at best, be prepared to deal with the manifestation of evil.
Any American citizen old enough to have grown up before television will probably remember this fantasy drama:
But of course, there is someone real who knows...
/fl