AUSTRALIA: Former Deputy PM Warns Against Travel To Murderous United States

"Just for the record, Australia has had zero gun massacres since 1996, and in the United States, 80 people are killed by guns every single day. So, it is another example of murder and mayhem on Main Street. Yes, people are thinking of going to the USA on business, vacation, trips, should think carefully about it given the statistical facts you are 15 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia per capita per million people. We don't have gun shows where you can walk up and not even be subject to a background check in one of the most dumbest decisions so far in the litany of agony over the gun laws and gun policies of the NRA and the USA." - Former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, responding to the Oklahoma murder of an Australian college student who was shot dead by three local teens who told police that they were simply "bored."

Many American right-wing sites are attacking Fischer today for "capitalizing on a tragedy."  One example:

Fischer's comments are disgraceful in myriad ways. To advance one's political agenda by tapping into the powerful emotions that continue to emanate from this tragedy is beneath the dignity of anyone, let alone a former deputy prime minister. No law controlling or banning guns would have prevented those Oklahoma thugs from opening fire into the back of Chris Lane. Sadly, Fischer and other Australians who reject the right of people to protect themselves have lately taken advantage of gun-related deaths in the United States to support the continuation of gun control in their home country and to make Australians think that they are the beneficiaries of such measures.

The three teens were formally charged yesterday.

Fischer's comments are disgraceful in myriad ways. To advance one's political agenda by tapping into the powerful emotions that continue to emanate from this tragedy is beneath the dignity of anyone, let alone a former deputy prime minister. No law controlling or banning guns would have prevented those Oklahoma thugs from opening fire into the back of Chris Lane. Sadly, Fischer and other Australians who reject the right of people to protect themselves have lately taken advantage of gun-related deaths in the United States to support the continuation of gun control in their home country and to make Australians think that they are the beneficiaries of such measures.

FACT: The US rate of firearm murders per 100,000 population: 3.60. The rate in Australia: 0.13.  Source.