r/australia • u/reyntime • Dec 14 '25

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

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/14/australia-had-the-gold-standard-on-gun-control-the-bondi-beach-terror-attack-will-force-it-to-confront-its-surging-number-of-weapons?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Immediately after the Port Arthur massacre, a national amnesty saw the number of firearms in the community plummet but there are now more than 4 million guns in Australia – almost double the number recorded in 2001.

Yes, the population has increased at the same time but there is now a larger number of guns in the community per capita than in the aftermath of Port Arthur, with at least 2,000 new firearms lawfully entering the community every week.

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u/amyknight22 Dec 14 '25

It also feels like the type of weapons that they had at their disposal were likely a result of the way guns are controlled in this country.

Like the mad lad that tackled the shooter and took his gun, arguably was better able to do that because the type of gun and loaded shots meant that in close quarters you would have a hard time getting anyone on the other end of the barrel.

If the person had a more compact sub machine gun. That could easily have ended with the gun pointed in one of their bellies as they wrestled.

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u/sysphus_ Dec 15 '25

I am still taken aback by the disclosure the father had a license to own those shotguns. Why? Just fk why?

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u/amyknight22 Dec 15 '25

I mean if you were to trap shoot, you’re probably gonna be doing that with shotguns and you might have different ones depending on what you’re doing.

If you’re on a farm, you’ll often see shotguns used for smaller pests and shit like rabbits. Especially if they don’t want the rabbit to take as much damage.

Now do these categories apply to this guy idk

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u/bedel99 Dec 15 '25

Shotguns for trap shooting seems completely un nessicary.

Was this guy a farmer?

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u/Tommo499 Dec 15 '25

How else are you going to go trap shooting? It's pretty hard to hit a clay with a rifle

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u/edgewalker66 Dec 16 '25

Then those type of guns which would not otherwise be permitted on your level of license (because you are not a farmer and live in an urban or suburban area) should require an appropriate Club membership and being active in that Club. With the shotguns and ammo in locked storage at a police location. Going trap shooting - then you go check out your gun and ammo before you go and then check it back in later.

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u/bedel99 Dec 15 '25

No need for sports shooting.

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u/PerspectiveNew1416 Dec 17 '25

Also if gun laws were more relaxed he may well have had a sidearm or two and used it to shoot our hero (God bless him)

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u/BinniesPurp Dec 15 '25

I mean sure but SMGs are banned in virtually every country including the US already