Charleston shootings: Australian comedian Jim Jefferies' stand-up routine on gun control seems particularly apposite at the moment

In a routine recorded on a US tour and uploaded earlier this year, Jefferies mocks the arguments of the pro-gun lobby

Australian comedian Jim Jeffereis

Australian comedian Jim Jefferies provides an acerbic, expletive-laden take on America's gun control laws that feels particularly apposite following the Charleston shootings.

In the routine, recorded on a recent US tour by the Sydney-born stand-up mocks the "bulls***" arguments of America's pro-gun lobby, invoking the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania in 1996 to argue for curbing Americans' second amendment rights.

The YouTube video, originally uploaded in February, has been shared afresh following the murders at a South Carolina church - and sparked a fierce debate online.

Jefferies knocks down - or should that be shoots down - familiar shibboleths that Americans need to keep guns for "protection".

"Is that why they're called assault rifles," he asks. "I've never heard of these f****** 'protection rifles you speak of."

WARNING: Contains very strong language

Here's a SFW version if you prefer:

Before Port Arthur, where 35 people were shot dead at the resort and former prison colony, Australia had one gun massacre per year. Following the attack, which prompted Australia to introduce tougher gun control laws - "That's it, no more guns!" such killing sprees have not happened, Jeffereies says.

Jefferies compares this to the reaction of the USA to the Sandy Hook massacre: "Your government said, maybe we'll get rid of the big guns?"

There is "one argument alone" for the lack of gun control in America, Jefferies says. It is "F*** off, I like guns. It's not the best argument, but it's all you've got."

The reaction in the hall - somewhere in the US - is rapturous but the online reaction is more mixed.

"So much ignorance in this act. The reason for the ratings is because most of them are not in the USA," posted billybassman21.

Others were more enthusiastic.

Norman Bring said: "Just brilliant, but I'm afraid it won't help much."