Australia had the ‘gold standard’ on gun control. The Bondi beach terror attack may force it to confront its surging number of weapons

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Sarah MartinDecember 14, 2025 at 11:37 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Australia's stringent gun laws, implemented after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, are now facing renewed scrutiny following the Bondi beach attack where the shooter was a registered gun owner. While the 1996 reforms significantly reduced gun violence, concerns are rising about the increasing number of firearms in the country, which has doubled since 2001 to over 4 million. Experts cite inconsistencies in state regulations, the lack of a national firearms register, and emerging threats like 3D-printed weapons as weaknesses in the current system. The Bondi attack may force Australia to address these issues and re-evaluate its gun control framework despite its reputation as a "gold standard."

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Bondi beach ×260% Port Arthur massacre 70% Australia ×480%

Keywords

gun control 100% gun laws 90% firearms 80% port arthur massacre 70% gun violence 60% gun ownership 60% bondi attack 50% national firearm agreement 50% gun safety 40% semiautomatic weapons 40%