http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- A gunman opened fire on a downtown street during the morning rush hour Monday in Australia's second largest city, killing one man and critically wounding two other people while scattering terrified commuters, police said.

The suspect fled, and police launched a manhunt in the southern city of Melbourne, closing several streets and advising people to stay indoors as tactical officers armed with shotguns fanned out and helicopters joined the search overhead.

Police said the shooting did not appear to be a random act, and that it was believed a woman who was one of the victims knew the gunman.

The other two victims -- including the one who died -- were male bystanders who came to the aid of the woman during an altercation with a man who pulled out a gun, witnesses said.

"A girl came out of a building over the road, she was screaming and a guy had her by the hair," Ross Murchie told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

"She tried to grab hold of a taxi that was going by and the couple of bystanders went over to ask what was happening," Murchie said. "He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all."

Inspector Steve Martin said the woman and one of the men who went to assist were rushed to hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds to their chests. The third victim died at the scene, he said.

The shooting occurred on the corner of Flinders Lane and William Streets in central Melbourne around 8 a.m. Monday (2200 Sunday), sending hundreds of frightened commuters fleeing. A short time later, police said they had recovered a handgun and a jacket believed to have been worn by the attacker, who remained at large.

Prime Minister John Howard declined to comment directly on the shooting because he was not aware of the details, but said he was willing to open discussions on further tightening gun control laws with state leaders, who have responsibility for policing them.

Justice Minister David Johnston said Australian firearms laws already were very tight and that it was likely the gun used in Monday's shooting was obtained illegally. (ya think)

"It is very, very, difficult for a law-abiding citizen to obtain a handgun," Johnston said, adding: "If someone wants to purchase a concealable weapon on the black market they will probably be successful."

Police said the gunman and the female victim may have been involved in a fight at a nightclub about 10 minutes before the shooting.

"It does appear that there was a relationship between the female and the male suspect," said Inspector Glenn Weir said. "Certainly we're not looking that it's a random act, certainly not gang-related. It appears as though it's a domestic-related incident."

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This proves once again that otlawing something from the common citizenary will not prevent a criminal from getting said item.

The outlaw of drugs proves it.

The outlaw of alcohol proves it.

Criminals break laws, hence outlawing an item that could possible save a law abiding citizen is stupid. Because all your have done is prevented the law abiding citizenary from having said item.

Proven time and time again over the ages... When will people wise up?

Originally Posted by C/1Lt Henderson

Proven time and time again over the ages... When will people wise up?

Can you give examples of how this is "proven over the ages" because I am prepared to bet that up until the mid 1500s firearms related deaths were very low.

First off, that was pretty funny monty, Ill admit I laughed a bit at that

And id actually really like to see the amount of gun related crimes in Australia as compared to the US, even if it is by percentage of all crimes or whatever. Because, while I dont know for a fact, id suspect that it is lower then in the US.

You cant stop every single derranged person. That is just a fact of life. What you can do is try to prevent most of them from hurting others.

Originally Posted by MontyB

Can you give examples of how this is "proven over the ages" because I am prepared to bet that up until the mid 1500s firearms related deaths were very low.

I meant the overall point of how making things illegal doesn't hurt the people who would use them illegally. It just takes away the chance for law-abiding citizens to use them. Not guns specifically, but things like alcohol, and drugs, and any other illegal substance/item. (not to say that drugs should be legalized...just to say making them illegal doesn't make them disappear.)
Just read the bottom of 5.56's post. That's the point I was trying to make. Thanks.

So if its too hard to police we should just legalise it and ignore the consequences because there is nothing we can do about it?

One point our illustrious NRA evangelist over looks in his quest to secure the world by handing out guns on street corners is that while it may make some safer (and there is no proof of this) it also makes life much easier for those seeking to get them for crimes. Hell based on 5.56s ideas Baghdad and Mogadishu should be the safest cities on earth as everyone seems to be armed.

Again, what did I say? Not to say that we should legalize drugs, just saying that because we think we control traffic of said contraband doesn't mean we control ALL traffic of it. Same holds true for weapons. Just because we control legal traffic, doesn't mean we control ALL traffic.

ok....compare the amount of gun deaths/ crime in australasia....with the numbers for the states



go on



see what numbers you can come up with.


Australia toughened it's gun laws after the port Arthur massacre. NZ did the same after Aramoana. and gun crime in either country is extremely rare...and death resulting from gun crime even lower.


but then again we're not worried about the king of englands tax increases (sorry! cheap shot!)

Australia has less people.... so your crime numbers will be less then the USA. You have to look at it this way. How many murders per 100,000 people.

Even if an armed citizen had opened fire... the police probably would've shot him down.