ACT to Introduce Five Firearm Limit for Gun Owners After Bondi Attack
New laws restricting number of guns licence holders can own in response to terror attack
The proposed five-firearm limit would apply to all licence holders in the Australian Capital Territory regardless of their licence category. The move follows the horrific attack at Bondi Junction in Sydney that prompted renewed calls for firearms reform across Australia.
ACT has historically maintained some of the strictest firearms regulations in Australia, but the new legislation would go further than existing restrictions. The laws are expected to face limited opposition in the territory legislative assembly.
The Bondi attack has reignited national debate about firearms regulations, with various states examining their own laws in the aftermath. The ACT move may put pressure on other jurisdictions to consider similar restrictions.
Firearms advocates have criticized the proposed limits as unnecessary and ineffective, arguing that legitimate sporting shooters and farmers require access to multiple firearms for different purposes.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Gun law changes in one Australian jurisdiction often influence policy debates in others. The ACT move could signal broader national momentum for tighter restrictions.
Background
Australia gun laws were dramatically tightened after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The Bondi attack has been the most significant incident to prompt firearms policy review since then.
Key Perspectives
Gun control advocates welcome the limits as sensible restrictions. Firearms owners argue the limits punish law-abiding citizens rather than addressing criminal access to weapons.
What to Watch
Whether other states and territories follow the ACT lead in imposing numerical limits on firearms ownership.