The times they are a changin'

[colinbentley]

I was reminiscing yesterday about life back the 50s. I remember my older brother used to do a little shooting with an old Lee Enfield 303.He would take the gun, sling it over his shoulder and catch the train at Fairfield in Sydney and go to wherever he went to shoot. The gun wasn't in a bag, it was out in the open for all the world to see. And no one thought anything about it. Now I know there are laws today to prevent you from such behavior......there may have been the same laws back then, but it wasn't an issue. We lived in a time of blissful ignorance. Can you imagine the reaction toady if you got on a train or tram with an exposed rifle. Not only would you probably lose your license.......you may even lose your liberty. The times they are a changin',.......unfortunately they have already changed. Not I fear necessarily for the better. I really feel old when I look back and say "they were the good old days"

[juststarting]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

[happyhunter]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

It wasn't that a big a deal. As kids we would walk down the street with out air rifles and down to the river. Nobody batted an eyelid. That was early 80s, so not really that long ago.

Sometimes I'd break down the shotty and tape it to the pushbike frame and ride to the lake and shoot ducks. Nobody noticed.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Yes, the change happened some time ago...with govt policy shaped by Hollywood myths and selective reporting of US crimes...

Out long arm laws allow us to carry the rifles.... and there is no law that says we can't... I suggested previously for someone to find a firearm specific law... to no avail, yes there would be some BS charge in the disturbing the peace or public order nonsense because some infantile adult utopian had a mental breakdown at the sight of an automatic attack semi-auto Enfield....

MET/Trains- no carriage only because they have conveniently corrupted the Law relating to prohibited items, which is what they (incorrectly) classed firearms...so rifle in a bag will get you thrown off the train even though the law doesnt say you cant...

[bladeracer]

MET/Trains- no carriage only because they have conveniently corrupted the Law relating to prohibited items, which is what they (incorrectly) classed firearms...so rifle in a bag will get you thrown off the train even though the law doesnt say you cant...

In Victoria I believe it's illegal to transport ammunition in a public conveyance, so no catching the bus or a taxi to go get your ammo.

[doc]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

Colin didn't mention anything about school.

But I'll take a guess that you're a younger bloke (no offense intended) - where this probably sounds like fantasy, but as an older one - I've got to agree with Col'

Times have significantly changed - to not only would that no longer be acceptable, but (as you've demonstrated) many people would now even find it hard to believe that this ever occurred in the first place.

Just really goes to show you how much times have changed in regards to public perception with firearms to the point that even the thought of it having occurred in the past sounds like fiction to people today.

[pomemax]

When I was 13 I think I was bought a semi auto Winchester .22 at Kmart in Black town walked to the station got on train went to MT Druitt no one said anything apart from the ticket collector at the station who said "oh i bought the same rifle last week" and I only had 200 rounds in my pockets .
NO one freaked out it was not in a case it was over my shoulder funny thing never shot anyone either .
I worked a paper round for a year to buy that gun and Johnny rotten took it from me

[colinbentley]

pomemqx.....you should have shot him........oops can't say that can I ? It isn't P.C. (That's how much times have changed !!!!!!!!)

[wade06]

pomemax,

I don't have a problem with most of our gun laws but the restrictions on semi auto rimfire 22s are just stupid.

If you are planning on committing mass murder you simply wouldn't use a semi auto 22.

[happyhunter]

When I was 13 I think I was bought a semi auto Winchester .22 at Kmart

The stocked Stirling, mostly Model 20s, 15s and 14s and 5 shot pump shotguns, cheap Armscor hardware.

[Wylie27]

That they are..

I remember talking into a police station with my pistols carried loosely in a bag to have them checked.. the officer completing the checking laughed and they literally spent 40 minutes playing with the beretta and the 1911 in .45acp.

I remember thinking how much of an inconvenience and annoyance this was and how could it get any worse.

I also remember buying my 10//22 from a gun shop in Sydney at Central. I was standing out the front sighting it down the road to Haymarket... had to give that one up..

[doc]

I don't have a problem with most of our gun laws but the restrictions on semi auto rimfire 22s are just stupid.

If you are planning on committing mass murder you simply wouldn't use a semi auto 22.

I'm probably with you in part there Wade - not all our laws are bad, but I think there's quite a bit that could be cleaned up and made more sensible. The list of laws I disagree with is probably a little longer than yours:

- I have concerns with the registry and think it's unnecessary (and a risk - as mentioned in another thread)

- I have concerns with data collected by shops and the security risk (as mentioned in another thread)

- I think it's unnecessary for police to do inspections - and definitely unnecessary for them to do 'surprise' inspections that treats us like we have no rights.

- I think it's stupid that we can supervise someone at a licensed range, but we can't do the same on private property. (Used to be able to / can still do in 'some states', but that's slowly eroding away)...

- I think it's stupid that in some states you have to produce evidence you own certain firearms just to purchase certain ammo - even though you are licensed for that firearm.

- I think it's wrong that you're guilty until you prove yourself innocent with firearms. (OK - maybe fair enough if you're reported as making a threat that the police take away your firearms - but there should be a time limit - and up to the police to prove and charge you with an offense, which if after that time they have failed to do so, you should get your firearms back. You shouldn't have to fight and produce evidence, it should be innocent until proven guilty - the same as anyone else)

- I think it's stupid that guns can be prohibited solely based on looks or emotions.

- I think it's stupid that we can't legally obtain silencers to use with our firearms for our own safety.

- I agree with you with semi automatic .22's - decisions made by people who don't understand firearms.

- I think it's stupid the restrictions that are placed on toys.

- I think that firearms that have been permanently disabled and are held by collectors should be able to be mounted on the wall, or otherwise displayed. (They pose no threat, except that they look like firearms, and collectors like to display their collection - not have it hidden behind metal)

As I see it, none of these laws impact safety at all - or have any positive effect. They have much negative effect, cost the tax payer who knows how much and are intrusive. I could probably come up with more - but in my opinion there's plenty that could be cleaned up without having any negative impact to the general population.

Yet GCA would prefer to fight against taking away any one of these laws above over actually paying attention to where the real threats come from.

[Oldbloke]

I don't have a problem with most of our gun laws but the restrictions on semi auto rimfire 22s are just stupid.

If you are planning on committing mass murder you simply wouldn't use a semi auto 22.

I'm probably with you in part there Wade - not all our laws are bad, but I think there's quite a bit that could be cleaned up and made more sensible. The list of laws I disagree with is probably a little longer than yours:

- I have concerns with the registry and think it's unnecessary (and a risk - as mentioned in another thread)

- I have concerns with data collected by shops and the security risk (as mentioned in another thread)

Well said. in

- I think it's unnecessary for police to do inspections - and definitely unnecessary for them to do 'surprise' inspections that treats us like we have no rights.

- I think it's stupid that we can supervise someone at a licensed range, but we can't do the same on private property. (Used to be able to / can still do in 'some states', but that's slowly eroding away)...

- I think it's stupid that in some states you have to produce evidence you own certain firearms just to purchase certain ammo - even though you are licensed for that firearm.

- I think it's wrong that you're guilty until you prove yourself innocent with firearms. (OK - maybe fair enough if you're reported as making a threat that the police take away your firearms - but there should be a time limit - and up to the police to prove and charge you with an offense, which if after that time they have failed to do so, you should get your firearms back. You shouldn't have to fight and produce evidence, it should be innocent until proven guilty - the same as anyone else)

- I think it's stupid that guns can be prohibited solely based on looks or emotions.

- I think it's stupid that we can't legally obtain silencers to use with our firearms for our own safety.

- I agree with you with semi automatic .22's - decisions made by people who don't understand firearms.

- I think it's stupid the restrictions that are placed on toys.

- I think that firearms that have been permanently disabled and are held by collectors should be able to be mounted on the wall, or otherwise displayed. (They pose no threat, except that they look like firearms, and collectors like to display their collection - not have it hidden behind metal)

As I see it, none of these laws impact safety at all - or have any positive effect. They have much negative effect, cost the tax payer who knows how much and are intrusive. I could probably come up with more - but in my opinion there's plenty that could be cleaned up without having any negative impact to the general population.

Yet GCA would prefer to fight against taking away any one of these laws above over actually paying attention to where the real threats come from.

Well said. in

[snag]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

Hey juststarting,
Yeah mate, this was common practice in the 1970's when I was a kid. We'd regularly ride around with our air rifles and .22s tied to the crossbars of our pushies when we were going to the mangroves or the creek to do a bit of shooting. And yes, on occasion we would take them to school if we were going shooting afterwards, but you had to give them to your teacher to be kept in the staffroom until school was over. Also used to take them on the bus or the train with no questions asked. On the days when the Army Cadets were training you'd also see SMLE's in the schoolgrounds. Remember, this was a time when you bought guns from the Army Disposals and second-hand shops. I'm not talking about a little country town either, this was a capital city but no-one was scared of firearms back then and it was kinda expected that boys would shoot guns. When old blokes talk about the freedom we had with firearms in our youth it's not always the "used to walk 5 miles to school in the snow, barefoot, after milking the cows and chopping the firewood" reminiscing......we were just privileged to have grown up in a more accepting era. Makes me sad that those days are gone and will never return.
Snag

[juststarting]

Just reading all this, thinking wow!

[brett1868]

Just reading all this, thinking wow!

...I'm surround by a bunch of old farts...

Bought my first rifle in the early 80's and carried it home on the train in a bag. No dramas, no hassles...

[juststarting]

Just reading all this, thinking wow!

...I'm surround by a bunch of old farts...

Bought my first rifle in the early 80's and carried it home on the train in a bag. No dramas, no hassles...

...in the early 80s I was carried... LOL

[on_one_wheel]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

To coin an old saying ... you really are wet behind the ears

[Die Judicii]

Just reading all this, thinking wow!

This topic came up ages ago by another member, and I remember putting in a comment about a certain young person who also carried his rifle in a rifle bag on a tram in Melbourne.
No-one said anything except an old fella that was seated behind him.

The old fella leaned forward and tapped the young one on the shoulder and said "What caliber is it Son ?"

So yes, though you thought the OP was being a bit far fetched,,,,, that is how it really used to be.

[pomemax]

Just as a question for the people of Sydney say .
How many gun shops or shops that sold from central to the quay can you remember
I asked the gunsmith at Seton a few week ago he reckons about 20 something I can remember 8 but not all by name

[Heckler303]

Just so you guys get an idea of how much times have changed:

I was suspended from college library simply for having a Lee Enfield for my desktop background. Also got pulled out of maths class for someone to tell me that "someone might get a very bad idea from it" and "it brings across a bad message".

[on_one_wheel]

Just so you guys get an idea of how much times have changed:

I was suspended from college library simply for having a Lee Enfield for my desktop background. Also got pulled out of maths class for someone to tell me that "someone might get a very bad idea from it" and "it brings across a bad message".

That's one of the craziest things I've ever heard.

[doc]

That's one of the sadder things I've heard... Which college was it?

[pomemax]

If you had a picture of a group of people pulling cones what would have been said

[happyhunter]

Just so you guys get an idea of how much times have changed:

I was suspended from college library simply for having a Lee Enfield for my desktop background. Also got pulled out of maths class for someone to tell me that "someone might get a very bad idea from it" and "it brings across a bad message".

You could replace the background image of the Enfield with a picture of a WW1 Digger shouldering an Enfield.

[gazza]

It isn't just gun laws. Lawyers and insurance companys are destroying fun.

[Heckler303]

I know, the whole ordeal was just nonsense. I can't release which college it was as they'd probably have a go at me for breaching confidentiality or some other moronic reason. I've had rats at tobruk, luftwaffe, even vietnam war photos for my backgrounds without anyone getting upset. But having just an enfield on the ground? Gasp, I must be planning a massacre because my gf left me or I flunked a test!

To make matters worse, when it was spread around, at least half the other students there actually agreed with the librarian's decision.

What a f**king joke.

[Die Judicii]

I know, the whole ordeal was just nonsense. I can't release which college it was as they'd probably have a go at me for breaching confidentiality or some other moronic reason. I've had rats at tobruk, luftwaffe, even vietnam war photos for my backgrounds without anyone getting upset. But having just an enfield on the ground? Gasp, I must be planning a massacre because my gf left me or I flunked a test!

To make matters worse, when it was spread around, at least half the other students there actually agreed with the librarian's decision.

What a f**king joke.

Hey there Heckler,, for some reason I thought you were reporting this as if it were somewhere in the past, but now I'm getting the feeling that it was only just recently.

Am I surmising correctly ?

Now, IF you had the photo that was circulating a while back of what was left of an isil suicide bomber after a 50 cal sniper round took him out, I would suggest that the librarian might be justified in saying it was in bad taste.

But a picture of an Enfield rifle ??????
She/he needs to get a life.

[Heckler303]

I wouldnt say it happened recently, but its still fresh enough to remind me that they will use anything as an excuse to get you up you for.

[Jandamurra]

Sounds a bit out there mate, kid rocking up to school with a 303 over his should. Really?

To coin an old saying ... you really are wet behind the ears

Yes, really. It happened.
Well within living memory.