The Australian government is calling for stricter gun laws following the release of alarming data revealing a record number of registered firearms in the country. According to Home Affairs data, as of March 2024, there are 4,113,735 firearms registered across Australia, with 929,741 active licences. This marks a significant increase compared to the period leading up to the tragic Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
In the wake of the recent antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his administration are advocating for sweeping reforms, including a national gun buyback program. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, “The deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is a national tragedy which can never be allowed to happen again.” He emphasized that the government’s top priority is ensuring the safety of all Australians.
Proposed Reforms and Opposition
The proposed reforms aim to limit the number of firearms individuals can possess, regulate open-ended firearm licensing, and restrict the types of firearms deemed legal. Additionally, citizenship will become a requirement for holding a gun licence, and a national firearms register is set to be expedited. Burke noted, “We need to deal with the motivation and the method behind the Bondi attack. The why and the how. We’re dealing with both – by strengthening our gun laws and cracking down on hate speech.”
Despite this push, the proposed buyback scheme has met with resistance from various states. Under the plan, the federal government would share the costs equally with state and territory governments. However, Tasmania’s government has expressed concern that the buyback could impose a burden of $20 million on its already strained budget. The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, has categorically rejected participation in the program, while Queensland has shown reluctance to fully endorse it.
The federal government’s efforts to enhance gun control have also faced significant opposition from the National Party. Their leader, David Littleproud, articulated concerns that the reforms unfairly target law-abiding gun owners while failing to address what he described as the root cause of violence: radical ideology. “We don’t have a gun problem in this country – we have a radical Islamic ideological problem that needs to be addressed,” he asserted during an interview on Seven’s Sunrise.
Government’s Stance and Legislative Support
Prime Minister Albanese has countered claims that genuine gun owners will be penalized, defending the proposed changes as a matter of “common sense.” The government insists that the reforms are necessary to better protect the community and enhance public safety.
The Australian Greens have indicated their support for the legislation, which may facilitate its passage through the Senate. As discussions around these reforms continue, the Albanese government remains focused on addressing the increasing prevalence of firearms in the country and enhancing safety measures in response to public concerns.
As the parliamentary session resumes, the government is poised to take decisive action in its effort to reform gun laws and ensure the safety of all Australians. The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored by advocates and opponents alike, as the nation grapples with the implications of its firearm ownership policies.
