![Shots fired ... Australian student Kaia Delaney has critcised US gun culture in an online article, prompting a backlash ...](/web/20161205113213im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/3/7/p/x/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gt37ib.png/1480723296480.jpg)
Los Angeles: An Australian university student has been slammed by Americans after she wrote an article on a popular US political website titled 'What Australia Can Teach America About Guns'.
Kaia Delaney, an exchange student from the University of Queensland studying at Virginia's University of Richmond, wrote how in Australia she felt safe walking alone at night or in a crowded area "without thinking of people shooting me".
In the US she feels uneasy because of the availability of guns.
"As an Australian, I have often considered the United States as the leader of the international stage, however I believe there is something that Australia has done that puts it ahead of the United States - the control of firearms," Ms Delaney wrote on TheHill.com.
The article stirred up plenty of debate from readers.
"You can take your opinion on guns and shove it down under son," one reader responded on a message board attached to the story.
Another wrote: "The AR 15 (assault rifle) is the musket of the 21st century and it's your right to own one should you choose to do so ... just ask president Trump".
A reader also pointed to Australia's flaws, including "their white Australian policy" and "socialist society" that "only appears to work because they are isolated and tirelessly control their borders from any entrance of unwanted minority groups and uneducated immigrants".
"You still have a woman 13,000 miles away as your head of state," another wrote.
"When you grow up and become an independent republic, get back to us".
Ms Delaney did have some support.
"When did Americans become so insecure?" a reader asked.
This was met with a curt reply.
"When did foreigners become some arrogant as to feel they have the right to lecture us about our home?" another responded.
AAP