The hypocrisy of “too soon” – now more egregious than ever

It’s a familiar script in the United States. Another mass shooting tears through a community. Voices on the left call for tighter gun laws. And conservatives – politicians, pundits, and voters – push back: “It’s too soon. Let people mourn. Don’t politicise tragedy. We’re too emotional to discuss policy while communities are grieving.”

It’s framed as decency. Respect the grieving. Wait until the funerals are over.

But when a mass shooting claimed 15 lives at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025 – targeting a Jewish Hanukkah celebration – that restraint vanished almost instantly from many American conservatives.

Within hours, pro-gun voices – including that of the U.S. vice president – were declaring Australia’s strict laws a failure. To paraphrase; “See? Even with gun control, mass killings happen.” “If only someone in the crowd had been armed.” “Disarmament leaves people defenceless.”

Never mind that the attackers used legally obtained firearms in a country where such weapons are heavily restricted. Never mind that 15 dead is devastating – but experts note it could have been far worse without those very laws limiting access to high-capacity weapons. And never mind that Australian families were still in shock, identifying loved ones, and holding the first funerals.

Suddenly, “too soon” didn’t apply. A foreign tragedy became instant fodder to defend the status quo at home.

This isn’t just insensitive – it’s peak hypocrisy.

The same voices demanding silence after American shootings show no hesitation using Bondi to argue against reform. Australia’s pain is fair game if it fits the narrative that gun laws don’t work and more guns are the answer.

But the evidence says otherwise.

Australia’s post-1996 Port Arthur reforms – bans on semi-automatics, strict licensing, buybacks – dramatically reduced mass shootings. Before the laws: 13 in 18 years. Since: virtually zero, until the Bondi terrorist attack breached the system with legally held guns.

Firearm deaths plummeted. No significant substitution to other weapons. Australians overwhelmingly support the laws, and even after Bondi, the national conversation is about tightening them further – capping ownership, closing loopholes – not loosening.

We didn’t trade freedom for safety. We chose a society where mass shootings aren’t routine.

So when Americans – especially those blocking change amid hundreds of mass shootings yearly – rush to mock or lecture while we’re burying a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, a rabbi, and others, it stings.

We didn’t invite commentary during our darkest days. We certainly don’t need it from a nation where “thoughts and prayers” follow tragedy like clockwork, without action.

If “too soon” is a real principle, apply it everywhere. Let Australia grieve without turning our horror into your talking point.

Selective decency isn’t decency. It’s opportunism.

Australia will heal, strengthen our laws, and stand against hate. We’ve done it before.

Perhaps it’s time for consistent respect – or admit the “mourning” rule was never about compassion at all.

See also:

JD Vance’s gratitude for the Second Amendment: bloodstained and blind

Keep Independent Journalism Alive – Support The AIMN

Dear Reader,

Since 2013, The Australian Independent Media Network has been a fearless voice for truth, giving public interest journalists a platform to hold power to account. From expert analysis on national and global events to uncovering issues that matter to you, we’re here because of your support.

Running an independent site isn’t cheap, and rising costs mean we need you now more than ever. Your donation – big or small – keeps our servers humming, our writers digging, and our stories free for all.

Join our community of truth-seekers. Donate via PayPal or credit card via the button below, or bank transfer [BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969] and help us keep shining a light.

With gratitude, The AIMN Team