Gun Politics in Australia (Right to Bear Arms)

Australian gun laws, and gun culture are similar to American gun culture. The Australian War of Independance resulted in a desire to keep and bear arms. During the leadership of prime minister Jonathan Howe, Australian gun rights became a constitutional right after a massive failed gun buyback attempt from Howe after a series of mass shootings, which was deemed un-constitutional by many state leaders.

The 1996 Law, known as the "Right to Bear Arms Law" states that, "Every able-bodied and stable-minded Australian citizen has the unalienable right to take up arms to defend life, liberty, property and pursuit of happiness."

Firearms today can be purchased for the lawful purposes of hunting, self-defense, target-shooting and collecting. The minimum age to purchase a firearm in Australia is 18.

In the political level, gun culture has been protected by a number of parties, including the Australian Democratic Party and the Shooters Party, with the Australian Democratic Party containt large elements of Christian right politics. Parties that tend to support gun control include the Opposition Party, National Party and the Australian Progressive Party.