Media Release April 22 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (South Australia) Inc.

New Research Shows Mass Shooting Claim is Smoke and Mirrors

The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (South Australia) welcomes arguments from ANU economist Andrew Leigh that firearm-related death data needs careful consideration before conclusions can be drawn about Australia's gun laws.

SSAA (SA) Research Director Dr Jeanine Baker explained "Dr Leigh has utterly demolished gun prohibitionists' unsupported claims that the gun laws have prevented mass shootings, by showing the decades without such events." 

Most research into firearm-related deaths uses data from 1979 onwards. The latest study uses far longer time periods, going back through times of great social change and showing low levels of firearm homicide in previous decades. 

"The unpublished report agrees completely with our own research, published last October, in suggesting that social changes and other factors may have reduced homicides and suicides overall, including those
using firearms."

The bans and half-billion dollar buyback of 1996 failed to impact on already declining rates of firearm homicide.  Firearm suicides fell more quickly post-1996.  However, non-firearm suicides also started to drop in the late 1990's, meaning no firm conclusions can be drawn.

"Even the former convenor of the anti-gun lobby in Australia has produced research independently confirming the statistical findings of Baker and McPhedran." 

"This new study again yanks the rug out from under the bans and buyback. It really is time to look at alternative ways to reduce violence in society," said Dr Baker. 

Contact:
Dr Jeanine Baker - 0427 186 184/+61 427 186 184
Research Director, SSAA(SA) Inc.
www.ssaasa.org.au

ref: ABC News Online - Suicide data suggest gun buyback successful: ANU team. 22/04/2007.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1903564.htm