Australian Gun Control Policies Under Review After Bondi Beach Incident
Following an attack at Bondi Beach that resulted in 15 fatalities, Australia's gun control measures have become a subject of renewed national discussion. The incident occurred approximately 28 years after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which prompted the implementation of some of the country's most stringent firearm legislation.
Historical Context and Current Landscape
The 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which a lone gunman killed 35 people using semi-automatic rifles, led to significant gun law reforms. These reforms included a national firearm buyback program, which saw over 650,000 firearms surrendered and destroyed, and bans on automatic and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Background checks and mandatory cooling-off periods for gun sales were also introduced. Self-defense was removed as a valid reason for firearm ownership, a distinction from gun laws in countries like the United States. Similar reforms were implemented in New Zealand in 2019 after mass shootings in Christchurch.
Despite these measures, a report by the Australia Institute indicates that privately-owned firearms in Australia now exceed four million, nearly doubling the amount from two decades prior. This equates to approximately one firearm for every seven Australians.
- Queensland records the highest number of registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.
- Tasmania and the Northern Territory have the highest number of guns per person.
- One in three firearms in NSW are located in major cities, challenging the perception that gun ownership is primarily rural.
- The average licensed firearm holder possesses more than four guns.
One of the alleged gunmen in the Bondi attack was confirmed to own six registered firearms.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
Roland Browne, a prominent gun control advocate, noted similarities between the Bondi incident and the Port Arthur massacre, highlighting both events occurred in public places frequented by tourists. Mr. Browne has advocated for stricter gun laws, including a national cap of one to three firearms per license holder, dependent on the license category. Currently, Western Australia is the only jurisdiction with such a cap, limiting owners to between five and ten firearms based on license type and model. Mr. Browne also suggests abolishing recreational hunting licenses, citing their ambiguous definition.
Counterarguments and Alternative Perspectives
Tom Kenyon, Chief Executive of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, contends that firearm caps would be ineffective in preventing attacks, arguing that individuals with harmful intent would resort to other methods. He cited the 2016 Nice attack, where a truck was used, as an example. Mr. Kenyon also states that the higher number of guns in cities is attributable to the concentration of Australia's population in metropolitan areas, with individuals often traveling elsewhere for hunting activities. He further argues that recreational hunting provides a "valuable social good" by controlling feral animal populations.
Former Prime Minister John Howard, who spearheaded the 1996 gun law reforms, supported stricter gun laws but suggested current reform efforts might be a "diversion" from addressing a rise in antisemitism.
Current Legislation and Proposed Reforms
Australian gun control laws are not uniform across states and territories, leading to inconsistencies. General requirements for a gun license include:
- Being over 18 years of age.
- Being deemed a "fit and proper person."
- Passing a training and safety course.
- Providing a "genuine reason" for firearm ownership (e.g., recreational hunting, pest control, target shooting, occupational use, farming, animal welfare, collecting).
Identified inconsistencies include minors having access to firearms under supervision (from age 10 in the Northern Territory, 12 in other states) and certain firearm types being legal in some states but banned in others.
Following the Bondi shooting, NSW Premier Chris Minns questioned the necessity of high-capacity weapons for individuals not involved in agriculture. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency meeting, resulting in pledges to tighten gun laws. A national gun buyback scheme, the first of its scale since 1996, has been announced. Other proposals include:
- Limiting the number of legally owned firearms.
- Restricting "open-ended" licensing.
- Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
- Improving intelligence sharing during license application assessments.
- Implementing regular reviews of license holders due to potential changes in individual circumstances or radicalization.
The establishment of a national firearms register, a reform proposed in 1996, is currently anticipated to be operational by mid-2028. The 2022 Wieambilla shooting had previously accelerated efforts, and the Bondi incident has now prioritized its creation.
Ongoing Concerns
Mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia. However, incidents involving firearms, such as neighborhood disputes and gang-related violence, do occur. Concerns have been raised about the potential for high-powered, fast-loading rifles with multi-round magazines to pose public safety risks, contrasting with the self-loading firearms banned in 1996. It is suggested that poor storage practices contribute to firearms being stolen and entering black markets. Polling by the Australia Institute indicates that 70% of Australians believe gun access should be harder, and 64% support strengthening current gun laws.