Fewer Guns Less Crime Myth

Myth: Gun control in Australia is curbing crime

Fact: Homicides were falling before the Australian firearm ban, matching a global downward trend in most industrialized countries. However, non-firearm homicides are relatively stable in Australia.

Fact: Crime has been rising since enacting a sweeping ban on private gun ownership. In the first two years after Australian gun-owners were forced to surrender 640,381 personal firearms, government statistics showed a dramatic increase in criminal activity. 32 In 2001-2002, homicides were up another 20%. 33

From the inception of firearm confiscation to March 27, 2000, the numbers are:
•Firearm-related murders were up 19%
•Armed robberies were up 69%
•Home invasions were up 21%

The sad part is that in the 15 years before the national gun confiscation:
•Firearm-related homicides dropped nearly 66%
•Firearm-related deaths fell 50%

Fact: Gun crimes have been rising throughout Australia since guns were banned. In Sydney alone, robbery rates with guns rose 160% in 2001, more in the previous year. 34

Fact: A ten year Australian study has concluded that firearm confiscation had no effect on crime rates. 35 A separate report also concluded that Australia's 1996 gun control laws "found [no] evidence for an impact of the laws on the pre-existing decline in firearm homicides" 36 and yet another report from Australia for a similar time period indicates the same lack of decline in firearm homicides. 37

Fact: Despite having much stricter gun control than New Zealand (including a near ban on handguns) firearm homicides in both countries track one another over 25 years, indicating that gun control is not a control variable. 38

Myth: The United States has the highest violence rate because of lax gun control

Fact: The top 100 countries for homicide do not include the U.S. 42 The top ten countries all have near or total firearm bans.

http://www.gunfacts.info/gun-control-myths/guns-in-other-countries/