Jim Jefferies Standup About U.S. Gun Laws Rings True Again
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Related: Three Countries That Handle Guns Differently Than America
That's also why, after every mass shooting, the words of Australian comedian Jim Jefferies are particularly poignant. Jefferies, who did not grow up in the U.S., artfully criticized the U.S. attitude toward guns in a video that has gone viral a few times:"There is one argument, and one argument alone for having a gun, and this is the argument: Fuck off, I like guns,'" Jefferies said. "It’s not the best argument, but it’s all you’ve got. And there’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘I like something, don’t take it away from me.'"
"But don’t give me this other bullshit. ‘I need it for protection. I need it to protect me, and I need it to protect my family,’” Jefferies joked, mimicking an American accent. "Really? Is that why they’re called assault rifles. Is it? Never heard of these fucking protection rifles you speak of."
Related: Here's Why Doctors Can't Call Gun Violence a Public Health Issue
Jeffries' home country of Australia could be a guide for the U.S.
Australia is often used as an example of successful gun policy. In 1996, 35 were killed in a massacre in Port Arthur, a popular tourist destination. After that, Australia’s government passed strict gun laws. These new laws limited legal ownership, created a gun registry, and banned some weapons. The government also launched a mandatory buyback program that acquired and destroyed 650,000 privately owned guns outlawed under the new legislation.
After the laws were passed, gun homicides dropped 59 percent between 1995 and 2006.
Even President Obama has discussed Australia's gun laws.
"When Australia had a mass killing, it was just so shocking," Obama told comedian Marc Maron. "The entire country said, 'Well, we're going to completely change our gun laws,' and they did. And it hasn't happened since."
For more on gun laws in the United States versus the rest of the world, check out this explainer:
