Bondi Beach Attack Sparks Urgent Review of Gun Laws in Australia

A mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 10, 2023, claimed the lives of 15 people and has prompted a nationwide reassessment of Australia’s already stringent gun laws. Following an emergency meeting on December 15, the country’s National Cabinet announced plans to overhaul gun regulations. Proposed reforms include a long-awaited national firearms register, restrictions on individual gun ownership, and a ban on foreign nationals obtaining gun licences.

Investigators are currently looking into how a father-and-son duo managed to execute the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah gathering in one of Australia’s most famous public areas. The incident has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of Australia’s firearms laws, nearly three decades after significant reforms were implemented in response to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where a lone gunman killed 35 individuals.

Josh Roose, a political sociologist at Deakin University, noted that the Bondi attack could have resulted in a far greater loss of life had the attackers had access to the semi-automatic weapons that were available prior to the reforms. He stated, “The fact that they couldn’t access semi-automatic firearms … prevented many more deaths.”

Despite the existing regulations, questions remain regarding how the assailants, reportedly inspired by Islamic State, managed to remain under the radar and acquire their weapons.

Identifying Gaps in Gun Regulations

Experts have raised concerns that while Australia’s gun laws appear robust on paper, they exhibit significant weaknesses in practice. A report from The Australia Institute indicates that the country now has a higher number of firearms in circulation than prior to the Port Arthur reforms. With a population of approximately 27 million, Australia currently has over 4 million registered privately-owned firearms—almost 1 million more than in 1996. This figure excludes illegal weapons.

Rod Campbell, research director at The Australia Institute, highlighted the inconsistency in state laws, stating, “The Australian government, (both) federal and state … have been complacent about gun laws.” He emphasized a critical gap: the failure to establish a national firearms registry, despite commitments made nearly 30 years ago. Currently, each state and territory maintains its own registry, which hampers data-sharing and oversight when firearms cross borders.

Advocates argue that a centralised registry would prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms in other states and enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies, ultimately bolstering public safety. Additionally, regulations restricting gun access for those under 18 have been unevenly enforced across the country, undermining their effectiveness. Gun theft remains a pressing issue, with more than 2,000 firearms stolen annually, translating to a gun being taken every four hours.

Campbell remarked, “Australia’s state borders are also completely porous – anyone can go across any border at any time. That lack of consistency in our gun laws is part of the problem.”

Public Support for Stricter Controls

A January poll conducted by The Australia Institute revealed that 70 percent of respondents believe it should be more difficult to access firearms, reflecting a strong public desire for stricter controls. Nevertheless, some analysts caution that further tightening of laws may prove challenging, as the current framework is already deemed comprehensive.

Roose commented, “The gun laws are quite sturdy and have been fit for purpose for a prolonged period of time.” He noted that tens of thousands of Australians, including hunters, farmers, and members of sport shooting associations, rely on firearms for their activities. He emphasized the need for caution in enacting new laws without sufficient evidence to guide future directions.

Moreover, Roose pointed out that gun reforms alone cannot address the issue of extremism. He described the Bondi attack as a deliberate attempt to deepen societal divisions, stating, “It was about driving a wedge, about polarising society, dividing one Australian against another.” He underscored the importance of fostering an open national dialogue regarding antisemitism and the underlying societal fractures that extremists seek to exploit.

As the investigation continues and discussions around gun law reforms gain momentum, the Bondi Beach attack serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Australia’s approach to firearms regulation and public safety.