Tackling Gun Violence: A Two-Pronged Approach

The Complexity of Gun Violence

Gun violence is a complex issue that demands more than just one solution. While some advocate for education as the sole answer, others insist on stricter gun laws. But why not both?

Australia's Approach: Laws and Education

Australia is often seen as a leader in gun control, but even there, illegal weapons remain a problem. In 2022, it was estimated that there were around 260,000 illegal guns in the country. This highlights that laws alone are not enough.

The Role of Education

The Australian government has been actively working to combat antisemitism through various programs, including:

• Holocaust education
• Grassroots initiatives
• University curricula

A new taskforce has also been announced to strengthen the education system in this fight.

The Need for Legislation and Coordination

However, education is not enough on its own. Legislation is needed to:

• Eliminate hate speech
• Punish those who engage in it

Better coordination among agencies is also necessary to track potential threats. For instance, one of the alleged gunmen in the Bondi Beach shooting was investigated for six months for possible ties to a terrorist cell. Despite the assessment finding no indication of a threat, shouldn't there still be a registry of those who were subject to investigations?

A Multifaceted Strategy is Essential

It's naive to think that the only answer is more education. This problem is too complicated for a one-issue solution. A multifaceted strategy is needed to address gun violence effectively.