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Most gun owners in Australia will be limited to owning no more than four firearms, while farmers will be permitted up to ten. The main opposition Liberal party has expressed support for the proposed amendments. A recent poll shows that about 75% of Australians favor implementing stricter gun laws.
Following the tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach, New South Wales’ lower house moved quickly to pass new legislation in an emergency session, with plans for the upper house to review it soon. The proposed laws aim to tighten gun ownership restrictions, ban the display of terrorist symbols, and restrict certain protests.
The government’s plan includes capping most individual gun licenses to four firearms, with a maximum of ten for those in agriculture. The attack at a Hanukkah celebration resulted in 15 deaths and numerous injuries, renewing calls for stronger gun regulations and increased action against antisemitism.
Police confirmed that the suspect, Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot and killed by officers, owned six guns. His 24-year-old son, Naveed, faces multiple serious charges, including murder and terrorism. Despite Australia’s gun law reforms since a 1996 tragedy that claimed 35 lives, some in New South Wales still own an excessive number of guns—over 70 individuals hold more than 100 guns, with one licensee owning 298.
A poll indicates that the majority of Australians advocate for tougher firearm regulations. However, opposition from the rural-focused National Party has arisen, with concerns that the reforms could negatively impact farmers. The federal government is also working on measures such as improved gun controls and a gun buyback program, though they have resisted establishing a royal commission to investigate the attack. Instead, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an independent review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to address the issues more swiftly.
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