I get that not every place in the world shares our gun culture. While I think that’s a shame, I understand that different countries don’t appreciate human rights the same way I do. That’s particularly true of the right to keep and bear arms.

Recently, an altercation in Australia took place that demonstrates the sheer ridiculousness of some nations’ anti-gun sentiment, though.

On February 9th, 2019, Australian police officers swarmed a man walking along a busy, coastal, pedestrian walkway in Brighton, Australia. Police took down the man because of reports that he was armed with a rifle.

In a video from 7 News Adelaide, you can see the toy gun next to a female officer’s boot.  Use the tiles/bricks the officer is standing on for scale…

Here’s the video in question.

https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAdelaide/videos/2267653253522630/

More from Ammoland:

The toy appears to be about a foot long, less than one/third scale. No reasonable person could mistake it for an actual, functioning rifle.

Brighton is an upscale, urban, coastal suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria.

It is illegal in Victoria to own a replica or imitation firearm without a firearms license.

The following information is from the Victorian police website. The last update is given as 18 May, 2018.  From police.vic.gov.au:

Differentiating between an imitation firearm, replica firearms, and other firearm paraphernalia and toys:

There are a wide variety of firearm-themed items available on the market aimed at children or firearm enthusiasts. Depending on the overall appearance and function of these items, some may be classified as a registrable firearm, a replica firearm or an imitation firearm. These require an authority to possess, carry or sell in the State of Victoria regardless of the intent of the manufacturer.

The information contained within this page and downloadable Quick Guide to Imitation, Toy & Other firearm paraphernalia has been published to assist you to recognise the distinguishing characteristics of an imitation firearm as opposed to a toy or other firearm paraphernalia to assist you to comply with Victorian laws in this area.

Generally, if an item cannot be mistaken for a working firearm by a reasonable person and does not have the function of a firearm, it will be treated as a toy firearm or other firearm-themed paraphernalia and can be owned without a licence or other authority.

However, items that have the appearance of a working firearm, even where they do not function as one, are classified as imitation firearms. As imitation firearms can cause public alarm, only people with a Chief Commissioner’s Weapons Approval or Governor in Council Exemption can possess, carry or offer them for sale in the State of Victoria.

Replica firearms are not the same as imitation firearms. They are working copies of an original firearm and anyone in possession of a replica must register it and be the holder of the appropriate firearms licence.

Not surprisingly, 7 News Adelaide gets the legal definition wrong.   They reported it was not a rifle, but a replica. It is not a replica because it is too small and is not a working copy. It is not an imitation firearm, because it is too small.

No criminal charges were filed, thankfully, but still, this is ridiculous.

Anyone with half a brain can see that the “weapon” in question is far too small to be anything but a toy. Yet look at the reaction.

Now keep in mind that there are people out there who want the police to treat us the exact same way when it comes to firearms. They want them banned and want even the hint of a firearm to be treated as if it’s a terrorist attack.

That right there, that video? That’s why we have to fight. That’s why we have to dig in and make damn sure nothing like that ever comes to our shores. I wish I could do more for my Australian friends, but right now we have to keep the wolves at bay here before we can do anything over there.