Australia overhauled its gun laws after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, rapidly banning semi-automatic weapons, introducing a national buyback scheme and enforcing strict licensing requirements. These reforms made Australia one of the toughest countries in the world on gun ownership and are widely credited with keeping firearm-related deaths low. The shooting at a Jewish celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people and one of the gunmen, has revived scrutiny of whether those laws remain adequate, particularly as one suspect was legally licensed to own the weapons used.
Why It Matters
The attack challenges Australia’s reputation as a global model for gun control. While gun crime remains rare by international standards, the number of legally owned firearms has steadily increased and now exceeds pre-1996 levels. The case has raised concerns about how long licences should last, how many weapons a person should be allowed to own, and whether the system can detect changes in behaviour, including radicalisation, over time.
The federal government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is considering potential national reforms, while the New South Wales government and police are examining state-level legislation and enforcement. Gun control advocacy groups are calling for tighter oversight, licensed gun owners may face stricter conditions, and minority communities particularly the Jewish community are seeking assurances of improved security and protection.
What’s Next
The federal cabinet is expected to review limits on firearm ownership and the duration of gun licences. In New South Wales, the premier has signalled possible fast-tracked legislative changes. Ongoing police investigations will focus on how the weapons were obtained and whether existing licensing rules were sufficient, feeding into a broader national debate on updating gun laws to address evolving security risks.
With information from Reuters.
