John Oliver

Previously, I went to Australia, where I learned that in 1996, their government enacted sweeping gun control laws. The result? Reduced gun violence and zero mass shootings. So are there any lessons for America here? Virginia gun advocate Philip Van Cleave has a clear answer.

Previously, I went to Australia, where I learned that in 1996, their government enacted sweeping gun control laws. The result? Reduced gun violence and zero mass shootings. So are there any lessons for America here? Virginia gun advocate Philip Van Cleave has a clear answer.

Right, there's no similarity with Australia. Australia is a former British colony with a wild frontier that was tamed by brave men who also wiped out almost an entire indigenous population. And we are... not similar to that. Right? Right. Right, because unlike Australia, we Americans know when the guns are taken away, tyranny inevitably follows.

Right, there's no similarity with Australia. Australia is a former British colony with a wild frontier that was tamed by brave men who also wiped out almost an entire indigenous population. And we are... not similar to that. Right? Right. Right, because unlike Australia, we Americans know when the guns are taken away, tyranny inevitably follows.

So, it really isn't crazy paranoia. You're justifiably frightened about ninja police.

So, it really isn't crazy paranoia. You're justifiably frightened about ninja police.

Yeah. Ninja police.

Yeah. Ninja police.

Yeah. Sadly, without access to semi-automatic firearms, Australians wouldn't know a thing about real freedom.

Yeah. Sadly, without access to semi-automatic firearms, Australians wouldn't know a thing about real freedom.

People don't have the same concerns anymore about getting gunned down when they're at a tourist resort. Yeah, but was that worth it? Yes. Was it worth giving up your fundamental freedoms just to not get shot in a gun massacre? Australians must now live in this well-regulated nightmare because of ex-politicians like Rob Borbidge, who smugly thinks that his country has something to teach us.

People don't have the same concerns anymore about getting gunned down when they're at a tourist resort. Yeah, but was that worth it? Yes. Was it worth giving up your fundamental freedoms just to not get shot in a gun massacre? Australians must now live in this well-regulated nightmare because of ex-politicians like Rob Borbidge, who smugly thinks that his country has something to teach us.

But it's pointless for us to study the Australian experience because their fear of gun control back then has no parallels with ours. I mean, what kind of things were you hearing when you suggested gun control?

But it's pointless for us to study the Australian experience because their fear of gun control back then has no parallels with ours. I mean, what kind of things were you hearing when you suggested gun control?

No one in America is afraid of Indonesians. Are they afraid of Mexicans and Muslims coming? Maybe. Sure, he claims Australians were angry, but where is the proof?

No one in America is afraid of Indonesians. Are they afraid of Mexicans and Muslims coming? Maybe. Sure, he claims Australians were angry, but where is the proof?

And I'm not going to give up any guns that they're going to take off me. Are you going to give yours up? OK, there it is.

And I'm not going to give up any guns that they're going to take off me. Are you going to give yours up? OK, there it is.

And if you think that sounds bats*** crazy, this effective gun control was enacted by conservative politicians against the will of their own base. Our politicians are different. They know that... Gun control doesn't work. Or even if it does... It takes a long time. And to be fair, John Howard and his Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher have had since 1996 to enact their sweeping reforms.

And if you think that sounds bats*** crazy, this effective gun control was enacted by conservative politicians against the will of their own base. Our politicians are different. They know that... Gun control doesn't work. Or even if it does... It takes a long time. And to be fair, John Howard and his Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher have had since 1996 to enact their sweeping reforms.