A tragedy where [Martin Bryant]
?, a deranged, mentally handicapped young man, used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 35 people on a "murder spree" on April 29, 1996 at the ruins of the [Port Arthur Prison Colony]
?, a popular historic tourist site in south-eastern
Tasmania.
Bryant was captured immediately afterwards, was convicted of murder and is currently serving life imprisonment.
The subsequent outcry around Australia saw the virtual banning of all self-loading rifles and shotguns, and considerable tightening of other gun laws around the country.
I have not heard it suggested before that he was mentally handicapped. Given that he had a valid driver's license and a valid gun license, it is fairly unlikely, or at least unlikely that the handicap was severe. There were rumours he was mentally ill, but this should not be stated as a fact here. State laws on medical confidentiality make it illegal to find out.
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