Australians could help force the United States’ hand on gun control laws by not taking holidays there in response to the tragic death of Australian baseball player Chris Lane, says former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer.

Lane, 22, was shot dead while jogging in Duncan, Oklahoma, on Friday.

Fischer, who was a leading force behind John Howard’s renowned gun reforms in 1996, said he was “deeply angry” about the loss of Lane.

"Tourists thinking of going to the USA should think twice,'' Fischer said.

"This is the bitter harvest and legacy of the policies of the NRA that even blocked background checks for people buying guns at gunshows.

"People should take this into account before going to the United States.”

Three teenagers were reportedly involved in the unprovoked shooting.

"I am deeply angry about this because of the callous attitude of the three teenagers (but) it's a sign of the proliferation of guns on the ground in the USA,” Fischer continued.

"There is a gun for almost every American.''



Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford has told media that a 17-year-old male had told officers that he and two younger males were bored "so they decided to kill somebody".

"He said he was the driver of the car," Chief Ford said.

"They saw Christopher jog by the house they were at, they chose him to be the target, they got in the car, drove up behind him and shot him in the back.

"He said the 16-year-old fired the shot."

The teens are in custody in Stephens County Jail and were due to appear in court Tuesday.

A District Attorney spokesman said the charges were yet to be finalised.

Images via Getty and AAP







