Australia Moves Toward Tighter Gun Laws After Deadly Bondi Beach Shooting

The Australian government is moving to tighten gun laws after the Bondi Beach shooting. The attack happened on Sunday in Sydney and left several people dead. Leaders met on Monday to discuss new steps. The push comes as the country debates whether its rules are still strong enough.

Australia already has tough controls, but the event raised fear about gaps in the system. According to AP and CNN, the shooter held a legal licence and owned several registered guns. This has sparked calls for faster action and stronger checks.

Australia Gun Laws Under Review After Bondi Attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said all state and territory leaders agreed to new limits. He spoke after a National Cabinet meeting on Monday. The plan includes stricter rules for who can own guns and how many guns a person may have.

Only Australian citizens would be allowed to hold licences under the proposal. Licences would also expire more often. This would force regular reviews to check if a person is still fit to own a firearm. According to CNN, leaders want better control of imports and new gun tech.

Gun deaths in Australia stay low. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the Australian Institute of Criminology recorded 31 gun-related murders. That equals a rate of 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people. But the number of legal firearms has grown. Think tank data shows around four million legal guns now in the country.

The Bondi Beach shooting raised fresh worry. Police said the attacker had six legal guns and a valid recreational licence. He also belonged to a gun club. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the state will review its laws. He asked why some powerful weapons are needed if a person is not a farmer or in agriculture.

How the New Rules Could Change Gun Ownership

Australia follows the National Firearms Agreement, created after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. It requires licences, registration, and a clear reason for gun use. But a full national database is not yet finished. A four-year effort to join records from every state began last year. Officials say some states still use old paper systems.

Albanese said the national register would be finished as quickly as possible. He said the work is complex but necessary. Leaders want to close gaps that allow legal guns to slip through weak checks. The new reforms may also cover limits on weapons that can hold large amounts of ammunition.

The Bondi attack has led many to ask if the current system reflects modern risks. It has also renewed talk about weapons made with 3D printers or other tech. These tools can produce parts that avoid normal tracking. The government wants tighter control over these items.

The debate will continue as reforms move forward. Gun groups and safety advocates are preparing their responses. But leaders say the goal is clear: reduce risk and prevent another tragedy like Bondi Beach.

Australia gun laws remain a major topic as the country reacts to the Bondi shooting. The new review could reshape how firearms are owned and tracked. Leaders say stronger rules are needed to keep the public safe.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What changes are planned for Australia gun laws?

The government plans stricter licence rules and limits on gun types. Only citizens may apply for licences. Reviews will also happen more often.

Q2: Why is the Bondi Beach shooting important to this debate?

The shooter held legal guns and a valid licence. This raised concern about gaps in checks and oversight.

Q3: How many gun deaths happen in Australia?

According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, there were 31 gun murders from July 2023 to June 2024. The rate remains very low.

Q4: What is the National Firearms Agreement?

It is a set of rules created after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. It covers licensing, registration, and limits on gun types.

Q5: Why is a national gun register needed?

It helps track firearms across states. Leaders say it closes gaps that allow weak record-keeping.

Trusted Sources: AP News, CNN, Australian Institute of Criminology