20/01/2026
Crazy how you can manipulate stats to create false fear
“69% of Tasmanians support a proposed gun buyback” sounds massive… until you read the fine print.
That headline is based on a survey of 752 people, out of a population of ~570,000 Tasmanians.
That’s 0.13% of the state.
Even then, only about 500 people actually supported it.
Yet it’s framed as “Tasmanians support…” as if the state has spoken.
Here’s the real issue 👇
Many of those surveyed may not even understand how strict Tasmania’s current firearm laws already are, some of the toughest in the country. Licensing, storage, background checks, inspections… it’s not the Wild West.
This is how fear and agendas are manufactured:
• Small sample
• Big headline
• No context
• No discussion of existing laws
Good policy isn’t built on emotive headlines and tiny surveys.
It’s built on facts, understanding, and honest debate, not scaring people, or trying to manipulate fake support, with numbers that don’t mean what they imply.
