A wild call for high school students to be given guns has been floated by outspoken independent MP Bob Katter.
Under the proposal, children as young as 13 would be trained to use rifles and schools across the country would have armoury buildings where weapons could be stored.
Mr Katter said it would assist Australia defend itself if China were to take a page out of Russia’s book and invade.
Asked why he thought arming children was thxjmtzywe answer, Mr Katter responded bluntly: “Ukraine”.
“Why haven't the Russians been able to conquer them? Because in all of those northern European countries, there is a proliferation of firearms,” he told Today on Friday.
The maverick MP’s proposal was met with immediate criticism from Today Show host Ally Langdon, who said the idea made her “nervous”.
Former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan agreed.
“We've got world leading gun control measures in this country, and there’s plenty of other countries around the world that wish that they could actually do what we do,” he told Nine.
“But if he wants to mount an argument about defending the country. It's not by arming our kids.”
“I think he’s a good bloke but he’s just a bit crazy,” he added.
But Mr Katter claimed arming children would give them confidence and a sense of responsibility.
“It gives yourself respect, it gives you confidence. It fills you with a sense of responsibility,” he said.
He added widespread firearm ownership was the reason why Israel “continuously wins” against Arab nations with larger populations.
Mr Katter first aired his bold proposal in an interview with Sky News on Thursday, when he claimed there was “evidence” to suggest China was harbouring desires to invade Australia.
“Look at the aggression of China in the South Pacific; Do they want a little island in the South Pacific? They want the treasure trove which is Australia,” he said.
His comments come just hours after it was confirmed the Solomon Islands had inked a security deal with China, despite protests from Australia and New Zealand.
The agreement will allow for Chinese navy ships and defence forces to be based in the Pacific nation to protect infrastructure investments in the country.
