Matt Damon Wishes America’s Gun Laws Were as ‘Sensible’ as Australia’s
Matt Damon wishes America’s gun laws could be as “sensible” as Australia’s.
The actor, who returns to the “Bourne” action franchise when “Jason Bourne” hits theaters on July 29, told Stuff that Australia’s gun control laws are “wonderful” — but he doubts the U.S. will follow suit any time soon.
“It’s wonderful what Australia did because you guys haven’t had a mass shooting since you went, ‘No, we’re going to be sensible about this.’ And nobody’s rights have been infringed, you guys are fine,” Damon said. “I wish we could be sensible like that but I don’t think that’s going to happen in my lifetime.”
Also Read: Ben Affleck Honors Matt Damon on National Best Friends Day (Photo)
Australia swiftly reacted to a mass shooting in 1996 by passing a series of strict gun laws called the National Firearms Agreement and Buyback Program just 12 days later.
Guns aren’t banned in the Land Down Under, they’re just harder to obtain. Australian residents need to prove a genuine reason for wanting to own a gun, such as being a hunter, a member of a target shooting club or a collector. Firearm safety training courses are mandatory, as are 30-day waiting periods for all gun license applications. Pistol sales require a police background check.
“You guys did it here in one fell swoop and I wish that could happen in my country, but it’s such a personal issue for people that we cannot talk about it sensibly. We just can’t,” Damon said. “People get so emotional that even when you make a suggestion about not selling AK-47s to people on terror watch lists, that’s a non-starter. I don’t know what needs to happen.”
Also Read: Matt Damon Teases New 'Jason Bourne' Movie: 'Bigger Than We've Ever Done' (Video)
Mass shootings, Damon said, “aren’t going to do it.”
“There have been so many of them at this point. Sandy Hook, when those children were murdered, if that didn’t do it, you know, I just don’t know,” he added. “Maybe we just need to evolve further before we can have that conversation, I don’t know.”
Watch the interview below. The topic of gun control begins at about the 2 minute mark.
Related stories from TheWrap:
GrillChat: Why Gun Control Advocate Richard Martinez's Closest Friends 'Are Other Survivors' (Video)
Nearly 200 Music Industry Artists, Executives Demand Stricter Gun Control Laws
Hollywood Responds to Gun Control Sit-In: 'This Is What a Revolution Looks Like'
