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Tough gun laws in Australia eliminate mass shootings

Study finds legislation effective in wake of 1996 massacre

man with guns

BUYBACK  In 1996, Australia initiated a program to purchase and destroy certain types of long guns, including semiautomatic weapons.  Over the next four years, the country collected more than 650,000 guns. 

WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images

By Meghan Rosen

- More than 2 years ago

Australia has seen zero mass shootings in the 20 years since it enacted strict gun control laws and a mandatory gun buyback program, researchers report June 22 in JAMA.