Sydney hostage crisis

[philip964]

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-ne ... -cafe-live" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CoffeeNut]

In a country with so few guns in civilian hands they sure do have some well equipped SWAT teams.

Seems like a bad situation all around. Hostages in blocking the windows, stupid terrorist flag blocking another section and a deranged potential terrorist demanding to speak to the PM. Send in the Australian SAS.

[MotherBear]

Yikes! We have family in the area. I don't think that cafe is somewhere they'd usually be, but checking in with them anyway.

[CoffeeNut]

Just checked in with a friend of mine over there and she was at this place on Friday and has friends who work at the store.

[MotherBear]

Our folks are all safe. Still, praying for a quick and safe resolution for all involved.

[TheArmedFarmer]

I'm acquainted with a good number of Australians and they all seem to be universally proud of the fact that they "don't have to have guns" because their country is so safe. This terrible event will certainly cause a re-evaluation of that thought process.

[anygunanywhere]

I'm acquainted with a good number of Australians and they all seem to be universally proud of the fact that they "don't have to have guns" because their country is so safe. This terrible event will certainly cause a re-evaluation of that thought process.

Sorry, but no it will not. If it did most Americans would be armed to the teeth in public every day.

[CoffeeNut]

I'm acquainted with a good number of Australians and they all seem to be universally proud of the fact that they "don't have to have guns" because their country is so safe. This terrible event will certainly cause a re-evaluation of that thought process.

They'll use it as an example as to why they need more gun control. And all of the Aussies I know enjoy their guns quite a bit even if the process is prohibitive.

Also I should repot that all of my friends and their friends are safe.

[philip964]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/s ... on/5967232" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

5 captives have escaped. The terrorist holding the hostages is a self proclaimed Muslim Cleric. He likes to send threatening letters to the families of soldiers in Australia who have have been killed. He was apparently involved in the murder of his ex-wife. She was set on fire.

He put ads in the paper claiming to be a spiritual healer and expert in black magic. The Muslim faith does not believe in magic. Maybe this is why the Muslims in Australia have been very vocal in wanting to assist with his capture.

[philip964]

Police have stormed the Chocolate Store. Shots fired, some hostages seen fleeing.

[philip964]

Terrorist dead. One hostage may have died several wounded.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Terrorist dead. One hostage may have died several wounded.

I saw that too. Have you seen anything regarding to what the terrorist was armed with? I recall a report of shots being fired, but I didn't see anything about whether or not it was just the police shooting, or if the terrorist was armed with a firearm as well.

[VMI77]

I'm acquainted with a good number of Australians and they all seem to be universally proud of the fact that they "don't have to have guns" because their country is so safe. This terrible event will certainly cause a re-evaluation of that thought process.

Sorry, but no it will not. If it did most Americans would be armed to the teeth in public every day.

Yeah, when I read one article saying he had a pump shotgun I thought, haven't those been banned already? Then I thought, if pump shotguns aren't banned yet they will be now.

The level of safety in Australia, whatever it may be, has little to nothing to do with guns, and just about everything to do with culture and demographics. But the fact is, crime took off there after their gun ban.

[VMI77]

Terrorist dead. One hostage may have died several wounded.

I saw that too. Have you seen anything regarding to what the terrorist was armed with? I recall a report of shots being fired, but I didn't see anything about whether or not it was just the police shooting, or if the terrorist was armed with a firearm as well.

I read one article that said pump shotgun, but in a nation awash with even more ignorant anti-gun "journalists" than ours, who knows?

[philip964]

Would n't the shot gun have to be stored at a police station? I thought only bolt action guns were allowed