An Australian senator criticized Hillary Clinton's recent comments supporting the island nation's 1996 gun ban and mandatory buyback program.
In an interview with Ginny Simone of NRA News Senator David Leyonhjelm said Hillary Clinton advocating an Australian-style gun control system in the United States was horrifying and "It's not something that any country should contemplate, completely disarming the population."
"I was a bit horrified by that," Leyonhjelm told NRA News in response to Clinton's comments. "I don't think Australia is a model for the United States on gun control at all."
He said the country's strict gun control did not lessen crime but instead they saw an increase. He said the mandatory gun buyback program made citizens less safe. "It also removed the right to own a gun in any state in Australia for self-defense. We are a nation of victims," Leyonhjelm told the publication. "You cannot own a gun for self-defense."
"It doesn't matter what the circumstances. It doesn't matter how big the threat. You cannot defend yourself."
He also said the black market for illegal guns is as big as it has ever been. "There's a very vigorous black market for guns," Leyonhjelm said. "So, it's really not made the slightest difference."
A recent report shows that gun crime is on the rise in the country.
The exchange Leyonhjelm objected to took place on October 16 at a New Hampshire townhall event. "Recently, Australia managed to get away, or take away tens of thousands, millions of handguns," a New Hampshire man asked Clinton. "In one year, they were all gone. Can we do that? If we can’t, why can’t we?"
"I think that’s worth considering," Clinton said. "I do not know enough detail to tell you how we would do it, or how would it work, but certainly your example is worth looking at."
Clinton's campaign has since walked back her support for Australian-style mandatory buybacks but she continues to advocate for stricter gun control in the United States and is set to receive an award from a leading gun control group.