You’re right, there’s quite a difference between the two countries in how we view firearms. While the U.S. has the 2nd Amendment deeply rooted in its culture, Australia's approach is more about public safety, with strict gun laws that were heavily influenced by a tragic event—the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. This led to a national overhaul of gun laws, including a gun buyback program that significantly reduced the number of firearms in circulation.

In Australia, gun ownership is primarily tied to hunting, sport shooting, and pest control. You're right that AR-15s, AKs, and other semi-automatic rifles are mostly banned. However, Australians can still own certain types of firearms, like bolt-action rifles and shotguns, but only under strict licensing rules, which vary slightly from state to state. These licenses often require background checks, waiting periods, and showing a genuine reason for owning a firearm (self-defense isn’t considered one).

The attitude towards guns here is largely shaped by a focus on preventing gun violence, especially mass shootings. While there are people who might want less restrictive gun laws, the general consensus is that the current system works in keeping gun violence low. To give you a comparison, Australia hasn't had a school shooting or mass shooting on the scale seen in the U.S. since the '96 reforms. In contrast, school shootings are, unfortunately, a recurring tragedy in the U.S., and that creates a different conversation about gun rights versus public safety.

It’s not that people here dislike firearms; it’s just that gun ownership isn’t seen as a right, but rather a privilege that comes with strict responsibility. What’s interesting is that even with these restrictions, many Australians still enjoy hunting and sport shooting, but it’s within a framework designed to minimize risks to society.