A deadly shooting incident in Sydney has once again put Australia’s gun laws under national scrutiny. The attack took place near Bondi Beach on Sunday, where large crowds had gathered for Hanukkah celebrations. Police confirmed that the incident involved indiscriminate firing and that a father and son were responsible. One of the attackers reportedly possessed a legally licensed firearm, raising serious questions about firearm access and monitoring.
Although Australia is globally known for its strict gun control measures, recent data shows that legal gun ownership has been steadily increasing over the past two decades.
Four million Australians legally own firearms
Australia has a population of approximately 27.5 million. According to industry estimates, around 22.1 million people will be over the age of 18 by 2025–26. A report by the Australia Institute revealed that nearly 4 million people in the country are legally permitted to own firearms.
This growth has occurred despite Australia’s landmark gun reforms following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, after which the government banned semi-automatic weapons within days, introduced a nationwide buyback program, and established strict licensing and background checks.
How gun licensing works in Australia
Obtaining a firearm licence in Australia involves multiple safeguards:
Applicants must provide a genuine and lawful reason for owning a gun (self-defence is not considered valid)
Applicants must be at least 18 years old
Police conduct background and criminal history checks
Mandatory firearm safety training and exams are required
First-time applicants face a minimum 28-day waiting period
Strict rules apply for safe storage of firearms
Licences are issued for a fixed term, usually five years, and must be renewed
Despite these checks, the Bondi shooting has highlighted potential gaps in ongoing monitoring.
Government response after the attack
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal cabinet would examine whether limits should be placed on the number of weapons allowed under a single licence and whether licence durations should be shortened.
“People’s circumstances can change. People can become radicalised over time. Firearms licences should not be permanent,” the Prime Minister said.
New South Wales Chief Minister Chris Minns also indicated that the state government may recall the legislature to fast-track reforms to firearms licensing laws. “Now is the time to change the rules,” he told reporters.
Experts raise concerns
Criminology expert Maya Gomez from Swinburne University of Technology noted that licence holders in New South Wales must prove a genuine need for firearms. Following the Bondi attack, she said the adequacy and ongoing validity of such justifications may come under renewed examination.
Gun crime remains low by global standards
Despite rising gun ownership, Australia continues to have relatively low gun-related violence. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, 33 people died due to gun homicides in the year ending June 2024.
By comparison, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the United States recorded an average of 49 gun-related homicides per day in 2023.
The Sydney shooting has reignited debate over whether Australia’s existing gun laws are sufficient in a changing social environment—and whether stricter oversight, rather than just strict entry rules, is now required.
