Bondi Attack Reignites Australia’s Gun-Law Debate and Reforms

Australia’s gun-control story is being rewritten after a deadly attack near Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations. While the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 fundamentally reshaped national policy, the latest incident has many asking what more can be done to protect communities across the country.

Roland Browne, a longtime advocate for stricter gun rules, says the Bondi shooting echoes past tragedies and highlights how public spaces attract visitors from everywhere. He argues that the policy response should focus on the types of firearms used and the systems that allow access to them.

"Public spaces with heavy tourism require careful rules to prevent harm," Browne told INLIBER. "We need to ensure voices calling for stronger gun laws are heard before tragedy strikes again."

Gun ownership at record highs

A recent analysis by the Australia Institute shows the country now has more than four million privately owned firearms, roughly one weapon for every seven residents. While total numbers rise with population, the share owned by individuals is spread unevenly across states and territories.

Queensland has the greatest total number of firearms, followed by New South Wales and Victoria, while Tasmania and the Northern Territory have the highest guns per person. The report also notes that guns are not confined to rural areas; urban and suburban homes hold a significant portion of Australia’s firearms, with many license holders owning more than four weapons on average.

How Australia’s gun laws work today

Gun regulation in Australia is not uniform nationwide, with rules varying by state and territory. In general, applicants must be at least 18, deemed a fit and proper person, complete safety training, and show a legitimate reason for ownership. Accepted reasons include sport shooting, hunting, work-related needs, farming, and collecting.

However, loopholes remain. Some jurisdictions allow younger individuals supervised access to firearms, and bans do not always align across states. After Port Arthur, a broad national reform package introduced a buyback program and bans on automatic and semi-automatic firearms, reshaping the market and safety landscape.

Authorities indicate that one of the Bondi suspects owned multiple firearms, underscoring ongoing concerns about access control and oversight. In some cases, reform advocates have called for stricter licensing limits and tighter checks on high-powered rifles.

Proposed reforms in the wake of Bondi

In the immediate aftermath, New South Wales officials signaled a clear intent to tighten state gun laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined leaders from across the country in backing stronger nationwide measures, including a major national buyback program to reduce firearms on the streets.

Proposed policy options include:

• limiting the total number of firearms a single owner may hold
• tightening licensing requirements and reducing open-ended licenses
• linking firearm ownership to citizenship for security screening
• improving intelligence-sharing when evaluating licence applications

Prime Minister Albanese also called for regular reviews of licence holders to account for changes in circumstances or beliefs. These steps aim to reduce risk while balancing lawful recreation and sport.

Debate inside the hunting and sport shooting community

Roland Browne argues for modernizing checks and reconsidering whether recreational hunting should be a primary reason for firearm ownership. Proponents of hunting, like Tom Kenyon, say the activity helps control feral animal populations and supports rural communities, making blanket restrictions controversial.

Kenyon notes that hunting is deeply rooted in family and community life for many Australians, and that access to firearms has traditionally been part of that culture. He also emphasizes that public safety requires targeted interventions beyond simply reducing the number of guns.

A wake-up call for smarter policy

The Port Arthur reforms are often cited as a turning point, but public figures warn that policy must evolve with changes in technology and social attitudes. Survivors and advocates say the focus should be on ensuring licensing standards match risk, and on preventing radicalization through better information sharing and screening.

Beyond firearms, experts point to broader factors that influence safety, including mental health support, community awareness, and responsible storage to reduce theft and illicit markets.

Expert perspective

Expert note: Many safety advances hinge on robust data sharing and consistent licensing standards across jurisdictions. Real progress comes from proactive, evidence-based reforms rather than reacting to each tragedy.

Expert comment: While tougher rules can help, it is essential to address radicalization and intelligence gaps to prevent attacks from occurring in the first place.

Summary

Australia continues to grapple with how best to balance gun ownership rights with public safety. The Bondi incident has intensified calls for licensing reforms, a nationwide buyback, and better information sharing. While opinions vary, there is broad agreement that policy must adapt to new risks and technologies to protect communities.

"The Bondi attack underscores the need to adapt gun policy to evolving risks and to strengthen checks and intelligence sharing." BBC News

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