Port Arthur anniversary: Seizing the moment on gun control changed Australia, says John Howard

By Anne Davies
Updated April 26 2016 - 8:13pm, first published 7:21pm
''I immediately focussed on what I could do'': Former prime minister John Howard recalling how he reacted to the news of the Port Arthur tragedy.  Photo: Nic Walker
''I immediately focussed on what I could do'': Former prime minister John Howard recalling how he reacted to the news of the Port Arthur tragedy. Photo: Nic Walker
 Australia's action on gun control remains one of Mr Howard's greatest legacies. Photo: Nic Walker
Australia's action on gun control remains one of Mr Howard's greatest legacies. Photo: Nic Walker
Mr Howard estimates  the gun buyback in Australia was the equivalent of taking 30 to 40 million guns out of circulation in the US. Photo: Nic Walker
Mr Howard estimates the gun buyback in Australia was the equivalent of taking 30 to 40 million guns out of circulation in the US. Photo: Nic Walker
The Prime Minister and his wife Janette in 1996 at a Canberra service to pray for the victims and families of the Port Arthur tragedy. Photo: Mike Bowers
The Prime Minister and his wife Janette in 1996 at a Canberra service to pray for the victims and families of the Port Arthur tragedy. Photo: Mike Bowers
1997 gun haul: The federal government worked with the states to buy back the banned weapons and any weapons people no longer wanted, with nearly 700,000 handed in.  Photo: Dean Sewell
1997 gun haul: The federal government worked with the states to buy back the banned weapons and any weapons people no longer wanted, with nearly 700,000 handed in. Photo: Dean Sewell
Anniversary: The Port Arthur site where 35 people were killed and 23 wounded on May 28, 1996. Photo: Cathryn Tremain
Anniversary: The Port Arthur site where 35 people were killed and 23 wounded on May 28, 1996. Photo: Cathryn Tremain

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