Are Gun Bans the Answer? A Look at Australia’s Latest Weapon Crackdown

In a move that some hail as “common-sense” legislation and others see as another example of authoritarian overreach, Australia is once again tightening its restrictions on personal armament — but this time, the target isn’t firearms. The focus has shifted to machetes, swords, and other fixed-blade weapons. Although Australia has built its identity around strict gun laws for decades, the recent uptick in violent crime involving edged weapons has prompted the government in Victoria and Queensland to revisit the conversation about public safety. But this raises a crucial question: Has banning guns actually made Australians safer? Or has it simply emboldened criminals who know their law-abiding neighbors have no means of defense?

The Aftermath of Gun Control Down Under

Let’s rewind to 1996, when Australia passed its National Firearms Agreement — a sweeping law that banned an entire category of firearms and resulted in the forced confiscation of over 650,000 privately owned guns. Overnight, firearms ownership went from a right to a privilege administered by a bureaucracy. Many Americans watching this from afar understood what was at stake: freedom, sovereignty, and the ability to protect one’s family were being placed further under government control.

Now, nearly three decades later, we see evidence of what happens when good people are denied the tools to defend themselves. Criminals, not bound by these laws, are pivoting to other weapons. According to The Independent, massive spikes in machete-related violence have forced Australian lawmakers to propose a new slew of prohibitions, targeting long-bladed knives, even in private residences. Home defense options are shrinking rapidly for Australians.

Why This Matters for Americans

When we at Fortress Firearms Training see stories like this, we see more than just a foreign policy change. We see a cautionary tale, one that mirrors exactly what anti-Second Amendment advocates are trying to push in the United States.

• Australia banned guns — now they’re banning knives.
• Criminals still have weapons, but everyday citizens are being stripped of options to protect themselves.
• Restrictions have not eliminated violence; they’ve only changed the weapon of choice.

If someone intends to do harm, the absence of a firearm doesn’t stop them. It merely changes their method. This is the very logic that underscores why firearms training and Second Amendment protections remain essential here in the U.S.

What Happens When Laws Ignore Reality

In Melbourne alone, authorities report a surge in youth gang violence involving machetes — large, concealable blades exploited by criminals knowing their victims are likely disarmed. The proposed legislative response is to ban the possession of these knives in homes and vehicles. Think about that: law-abiding individuals may soon face prosecution for keeping a survival knife in the trunk of their car or a kitchen knife in their home.

The same mindset behind these laws is at play in many American cities where restrictive gun control policies leave citizens more vulnerable. Australia may be an ocean away, but the ideological framework is already here—in city councils, in legislative chambers, and, unfortunately, in Washington.

Firearms Training: A Real Solution for Real Problems

Rather than strip rights away from good people, the solution to violent crime lies in empowerment and education. At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe that a well-trained, armed citizen is the best deterrent to crime—not more restrictive laws.

Our mission:

• Teach legal, responsible firearms ownership
• Provide realistic, scenario-based self-defense training for individuals and families
• Ensure every gun owner understands both their rights and responsibilities

Whether you’re a new owner just getting comfortable with firearm safety, or a seasoned shooter looking to improve marksmanship and tactical readiness, our classes are designed to equip you with actual life-saving skills—not just box-checking certifications.

History Repeats Itself, Unless We Learn

The erosion of personal freedom doesn’t happen overnight—it occurs incrementally: a magazine limit here, an open carry restriction there, and now, the Australian government saying that the machete on your wall might have to go, even if you’ve never used it unlawfully.

Let’s be honest. A society that prioritizes the comfort of criminals over the safety and autonomy of its citizens is setting itself up for failure. The message couldn’t be clearer: if gun bans really worked, there wouldn’t be a need to add machetes to the list of outlawed weapons.

But the data — and the headlines — tell another story:

• Criminal attacks persist, just with different tools
• Law-abiding citizens are defenseless, under threat of prosecution if they resist too effectively
• Government overreach keeps expanding, targeting more and more aspects of home life, even your kitchen drawer

South Carolina Stands Strong

In the Palmetto State, we respect our Second Amendment rights. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to be complacent. Pressure is mounting on the national stage, and blue-state policies have a way of creeping across invisible lines. That’s why being trained, prepared, and vigilant is more important than ever.

Our Constitution offers no apology for affirming your right to defend life, liberty, and family. At Fortress Firearms Training, we strengthen that right with knowledge, competence, and confidence.

Final Thoughts — A Lesson from Across the World

The latest developments from Australia demonstrate a stark reality: once the tools of self-defense are surrendered, the slippery slope begins. From firearms to pocketknives and now to machetes, Australia serves as a high-tech caution sign, reminding every American how fragile freedom becomes without citizen vigilance.

Let us never forget what makes America different. We are not subjects of the crown. We are sovereign individuals, protected by a Constitution that guarantees our right to keep and bear arms. But rights unexercised, and unguarded, are rights easily lost.

Stay trained. Stay informed. And above all, stay armed—legally and responsibly. Visit Fortress Firearms Training today to strengthen your right to self-defense and ensure your readiness in an ever-changing world.