How to Sell a Massacre P1, Al Jazeera Investigations

In the first of a two part series: A threeyear Al Jazeera investigation into the U. S. gun lobby has uncovered an effort by an Australian political party to seek millions of dollars in political funding while offering to soften strict, antigun laws in Australia. Al Jazeeras Investigative Unit used concealed cameras to track Pauline Hansons One Nation, a rightwing, antiimmigration party, as representatives travelled to Washington, D. C. to hold meetings with the National Rifle Association and other lobby groups, as well as the energy giant Koch Industries. One Nations Chief of Staff James Ashby was accompanied on the U. S. visit by Steve Dickson, the partys leader in the Australian state of Queensland and a candidate in upcoming Australian elections. Ashby and Dickson were recorded seeking up to US20 million for their election war chest while promising to soften laws, put in place following a massacre in Australia in 1996. The strict Australian gun laws have often been condemned by the NRA. A