In the NT, where self-reliance of the Northern Territory meets the heavy hand of centralised bureaucracy, the debate over gun control is more than just a policy discussion, it’s a test of whether the government trusts its citizens to defend themselves. It’s pretty obvious…. They don’t. The assumption that restricting firearms will lead to a decrease in crime is a dangerous fallacy, one that has been repeatedly disproven by historical data and real-world consequences. While the media often parades the narrative that strict gun control equates to a safer society, the reality, especially in places where crime is a persistent and growing problem, suggests the opposite.
Recent gun crimes in the NT have made it abundantly clear, criminals have very little trouble getting hold of firearms, and the law abiding citizen has no chance, when wait times for Police are over an hour if they come at all.
The Northern Territory has among the highest violent crime rates in Australia, yet firearm ownership is already heavily regulated. The idea that restrictions would make communities safer ignores a fundamental truth. That criminals do not abide by the law. Stringent gun regulations do not prevent violent crime, they merely disarm law-abiding citizens, making them more vulnerable to those who have no regard for legal constraints.
In jurisdictions where strict gun control measures have been implemented, violent crime increases. The underlying reason is simple, when criminals know that their victims are defenceless, the incentives for violent crime rise. It is not the presence of firearms that creates violence but rather the absence of a credible deterrent.
One need not look far to see the failures of disarmament policies. Cities and states that impose strict gun restrictions consistently experience higher rates of home invasions, armed robberies, and even homicides. Criminals, emboldened by the knowledge that their victims cannot fight back, operate with near impunity. In contrast, areas where responsible gun ownership is common often report lower violent crime rates. The correlation is not accidental, it is a reflection of the fundamental reality that armed citizens are harder targets.
In Darwin, as in many parts of Australia, self-defence is almost a forbidden topic. The government’s insistence on monopolising the means of protection assumes that law enforcement alone can provide safety. This assumption falls apart when response times are slow, police resources are stretched thin, and individuals are left to fend for themselves in moments of crisis. A firearm in the hands of a responsible citizen is not a threat to public safety, it is a safeguard against tyranny, criminality, and the failure of the state to provide adequate protection.
Deterrence operates on a simple principle, predators seek easy prey. When criminals fear that their intended victims may be armed, they reconsider their actions. This is why violent home invasions are rare in areas where gun ownership is prevalent, there is too much risk involved for the attacker.
The same principle applies to broader crime trends. When strict gun laws are enacted, law-abiding citizens are disarmed, while criminals continue to operate with little fear of resistance. This shift in power dynamics emboldens criminal activity rather than suppressing it.
Consider the Northern Territory’s rising rates of home-invasions, break-ins and armed robberies. If residents had the ability to defend themselves with legally owned firearms, how many of these crimes would be deterred? The mere possibility of encountering an armed homeowner forces criminals to think twice. When that possibility is removed, they operate with near impunity.
Government intervention in firearm ownership is framed as a public safety measure, yet history is filled with examples of how such policies backfire. A state that insists on disarming its population while failing to curb crime is not protecting its citizens, it is controlling them.
When the government dictates who can and cannot own firearms, it is not simply making a policy decision, it is making a moral judgment on whether individuals have the right to defend their own lives. The bureaucratic mindset and hubris that believes tighter restrictions lead to greater safety operates on the flawed assumption that all threats can be mitigated through police intervention. This assumption collapses in real-world scenarios where police response times are too slow to prevent harm. I’ve often remarked we should make police be part of a joint venture with UBER at least they would come, and more often get there on time. More importantly, a government that does not trust its own citizens with the right to self-defence is a government that fundamentally does not believe in personal responsibility.
The failures of strict gun control policies are not limited to Australia. Countries that have imposed severe firearm restrictions often experience spikes in violent crime, as criminals seize the opportunity to dominate an unarmed populace.
In contrast, nations and regions that allow responsible gun ownership frequently enjoy lower crime rates. The pattern is undeniable, where law-abiding citizens have the right to bear arms, crime is less frequent and less severe.
Australia’s attitude toward firearms is largely shaped by government rhetoric rather than reality. The narrative that guns inherently equate to crime is a manufactured talking point, not a fact-based conclusion. In a society where violent crime is rising, the real question is not whether guns should be restricted but whether citizens should be left defenceless.
The Northern Territory, with its vast landscapes, independent spirit, and high crime rates, should be at the forefront of challenging restrictive gun policies. Instead of assuming that more laws will solve the problem, policymakers must recognise that responsible gun ownership is part of the solution, not the problem.
If the goal is truly to reduce violent crime, then the conversation needs to shift away from restriction and toward empowerment. Disarming the public does not make communities safer, it makes them more vulnerable. A state that fears an armed population is a state that does not trust its people. The right to self-defence is not a privilege granted by the government, it is a fundamental necessity of a free society.
Darwin, and the Northern Territory as a whole, stands at a crossroads. It can continue down the path of government-mandated helplessness, or it can embrace the reality that security begins with personal responsibility. Until that shift happens, crime will continue to rise, and those who follow the law will remain at the mercy of those who do not. From the author.
The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security Consultant with 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organizations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.
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