The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 caps farmers at 10 firearms. Why 10? And what does the same logic look like applied to cars, tractors or trucks?
I’ve been thinking about what would happen in agriculture if farmers were limited to less than 10 firearms. Why not 6? Why not 4, like recreational shooters?
To clarify, the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 limits primary producers to 10 guns and recreational and sporting shooters to 4.
(Isn’t it disgusting that farmers have their privileges limited under an Act starting with the word “Terrorism”?)
I’m well aware that I’m engaging in a slippery slope fallacy. But accusing everything of being a slippery slope is a fallacy fallacy. And round in circles we go…
Playing devil's advocate and posing other hypothetical restrictions with arbitrary ownership caps on citizens can paint us a bit of a picture.
Could farmers get by if everyone could only have 1 tractor?
“Well I know a farmer who doesn’t have any tractors and they do fine!”
Could Australia get by if we took all of these evil diesel burning polluting dangerous trucks off the road?
“You should see the huge loads that they carry on motorcycles through India and Asia!”
I agree that these comparisons are stupid, just like the gun buyback. That’s the point.
What would we do, as a country, if over the next 12 months we had a dozen or more car-ramming attacks by terrorists and criminals?
Would lawful, licensed, insured car drivers all of a sudden have to sell their cars “back” (buy-”back”) to the government?
Maybe it’s an absurd hypothetical that’s easy to dismiss as sensationalism.
How exactly is it different from what’s happening with guns in a way that makes it absurd? Try to make an argument defending car ownership in this scenario that cannot also be transposed to defend responsible gun owners.
A closer comparison would be:
“Terrorists are using cars to ram raid people so we are limiting all Australians to owning 2 cars”. It sounds completely stupid, doesn’t it?
Do Australians really lie in bed losing sleep because somewhere, some farmer has more than 10 guns locked in their safe? The farmer who is awake late at night in the cold of winter to protect their newborn lambs from fox attacks is having their freedoms restricted under an Act called “TERRORISM”?
The farmer who has to shoot all his burned cattle after an unmanaged national park goes up in an out-of-control bushfire that rolls through his farm.
The farmer who is drowning in feral pigs (which our government does not have under control) that ruin his crops and steal from his livelihood.
The farmer who is ordered by the government to destroy feral animals like donkeys on his property.
The recreational hunter who hunts feral deer to feed his family and enjoy some time in the mountains is also maligned the same way?
Months ago I was giving some city folk who were glamping on a farm a tour. The then proposed new gun laws came up. They were all for it. “Farmers don’t need more than 10 guns”.
OK - maybe true. Which 10 would you like them to have?
These city folk could barely name 2 different calibres between them.
These people consider themselves informed - and they vote.
Here is a joke for you:
What makes 11 dangerous for a farmer to own but 10 is appropriate? A bureaucrat.
I tell my children all the time, the pendulum constantly swings. From left to right, we are constantly swinging back and forward. The luckiest of us throughout history get to live in a time of prosperity in the middle of the swing - and it doesn’t happen very often. There are not many good examples of freedom and prosperity throughout our species’ history.
It seems that we are largely incapable of maintaining a sensible middle ground.
Our bureaucratic heavy government will constantly imagine problems, create “solutions” in the form of new restrictions, watchdogs, think tanks and paperwork (which will never disappear or downsize). This constant bloating of suits and rules kills our ability to innovate, create, produce and enjoy simple freedoms that previous generations safely enjoyed.
If you’re a Victorian, don’t you dare have a machete in the shed for clearing thick weeds or regrowth on the weekend…
Here is some food for thought:
Australia has approximately 20 farmers for every infantryman, which is under 10,000 people. In a very large resource rich country with a huge border, wouldn’t it be pragmatic to keep your law abiding and responsible farmers well armed? But I’m sure we aren’t allowed to talk like this, there is too much common sense involved. Hell, if I were the government I’d be offering free advanced firearm training and making sure that they were well armed.
I wish, as a father, farmer, business owner, that I could solve problems like our uniparty government. Throwing other people’s money at them with no accountability, stacking an inquiry to get the “solution” that I want, funding journalism to get the headline that I want. If I get something wrong, I wear it right in the pocket.
Adam Smith said:
“Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice; all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.”
Nassim Taleb said:
“Bureaucracy is a construction by which a person is conveniently separated from the consequences of his or her actions.”
Friedrich Hayek said:
“The more the state 'plans' the more difficult planning becomes for the individual.”
I’m not banging on about guns or firearms for clicks and engagement. Everyone close to me has advised me to shut up about it.
“Raise your head above the parapet…”
I’m well aware that online dissent is under heavy scrutiny and the watchful eyes of the government. I’m also aware that this type of rhetoric possibly paints a picture on my back. It would not shock me if I had a knock on the door to inspect my firearms, licensing and lock up in reaction to making some noise.
It’s a horrible thing in a “free democracy” to fear your government over the fact that you disagree and are encouraging thought and discussion on the policy and direction of the nation.
It’s easy to sit back and think “I’m a little farmer with a Facebook account, what difference can I make”.
What could my children think of my silence in 10, 20 or 40 years? What example am I setting?
“Dad had decent honest opinions and a monthly reach of millions of impressions, why didn’t he ever say anything?”
It’s a lot easier to lose freedoms than it is to gain them.
Government overreach isn’t only about guns, and it doesn’t only affect others.
You are spot on Jake. Bureaucrats are by and large clueless but they write the policy. Politicians really need people like you to inform them. There are plenty of thinking folk who agree with you but have been intimidated into silence. Bless you mate for speaking the truth.
You are spot on Jake. Bureaucrats are by and large clueless but they write the policy. Politicians really need people like you to inform them. There are plenty of thinking folk who agree with you but have been intimidated into silence. Bless you mate for speaking the truth.
Jake I think educationally informing us as to the operational use of each of the eleven guns necessary on a farm is probably a good start.
Very well said Jake, I admire you for not staying silent and for taking the time to write in support of your stance. I think the gun buyback is total overreach by the government against law abiding gun owners and hard working farmers, not to mention a complete waste of taxpayer money. There is absolutely no logic in the government buy back which fails to address the real reason behind the Bondi attack. I can’t imagine any criminal volunteering to hand over their illegal guns and if the government fails to address radical Islam and violent extremism, the buyback will not prevent a criminal or terrorist from carrying out future attacks.
Former farmer here. I had a 410 and a 22. My ex husband had many firearms and all were kept in a secure gun safe. The firearms weren’t just used on the farm, he was a hunter as well. He also performed vermin control for other farmers in the district. Each firearm had its use. No, 11 firearms is not too many. Most farmers are responsible gun owners.
✅✅✅
Well done Jake for being willing to stand up and take a stance. The thing we need to remember is that the role of Government in a free democratic society is to serve and govern, not manage and control. This will always begin with “walking in the shoes” of those that you serve and govern. You have pointed out several facts within your article about the needs of farmers, many points of which I’m sure that the bureaucrats are unlikely to be aware of. In a world where silence is consent (and that is what an incorrectly focused regime would prefer), we need to be sure that where our freedom, liberties and privileges (rather that “rights”) are concerned, we need to raise issues that affect us and support those who do.
I think when anyone talks about politics, it makes people uncomfortable, but if we don’t- if teachers, farmers, tradies, cleaners, etc.- don’t talk about things that affect us and don’t try to influence policy that affects us, then Canberra becomes stagnant and only serves Canberra. Everyone needs to show up; rugby players, doctors, farmers need to engage more in discussions like this. Anyway, about guns (if they’re stored correctly, that goes without saying, maybe because most people do), a limit seems unnecessary. I’m a huge believer in supporting native animals, and sometimes hunting is a necessary way to control invasive species. That would involve supporting farmers and recreational shooters, not implying they are terrorists, or creating legislation that limits the ability to control pests (in a way that doesn’t poison the entire ecosystem).
Totally agree with you.
Have at it Bud, it’s comforting to see Aussies standing tall.
To everyone ‘advising’ you and others to shut up! be quiet and don’t stir up trouble – I ask those people what will your children and/or grandchildren think of you and your silence, not just in twenty years time but now! I have grandchildren and I am proud of their parents who are teaching them to have a voice. Our farmers are our livelihood. I don’t know anyone who wants to eat ‘fake food’ but many people do! When our farmers are gone, our land is gone and our real food is gone. I hope more people raise their head, not just above the parapet, but out of the sand. Raising your head above the parapet means to take a risk by publicly stating an unpopular, controversial, or honest opinion, or by taking an action that invites criticism, attack, or negative consequences. When are people going to stand up and declare what is true and stand together so that ours voice are heard as one. Only by speaking out and standing together to take action can we possibly see a change to the many ludicrous situations and scenarios the ‘common man’ now finds himself in. And remember, taking action and pushing for change is always uncomfortable at first. Thank you Jake
Like you said, common sense is not that common anymore.
Just wait for it to be adjusted down to zero. Then it’ll be regulated so that only govt regulated “Pest Eradication” companies can own firearms. Why? Disarm the population.
We had a cattle holding and two guns, I tractor, I bulldozer, two bikes and two utes. With one awesome collie working dog we did well. We’ve never understood the large number of guns permitted on farm and the high powered guns being imported into the country. You don’t need guns like that to kill a buffalo. The Shooters Party is not helpful with their trade off politics, watering down the laws over a period of time……then the Nation spends a fortune on paying more for guns than they were worth. Crazy stuff. So agree with your comments and your stance. We spoke out like this in our area, were labelled greenies and ostracised. Don’t care, speak up and defend the future. Best wishes Jake.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It is indeed a slippery slope when the govt continues to punish the people for the behaviours of the few. When you take away a persons rights you end up on a very precarious route to socialism.
Loved this read, it is very important to have these discussions and advocate for what is right especially in the farming industry! One rotten apple does not mean the rest of the bunch are, unfortunately this is how the government treats us to gain more control, it’s quite sad and scary for our future. We will always fight for our farmers! You guys are incredible and the most important part of our world ❤️
I agree with you
