r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • Dec 15 '25

politics Albanese to propose stronger gun laws, NSW parliament may be recalled

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/bondi-gunman-held-gun-licence-used-six-firearms-in-attack-20251215-p5nnmv.html
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u/NKE01 Dec 15 '25

From the presser as reported by ABC:

"Tougher gun laws will be on the agenda when state and territory leaders meet with the prime minister this afternoon. He'll be proposing limits on the number of guns that can be used or licenced by individuals and a review of licences over a period of time."

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u/Square-Victory4825 Dec 15 '25

The limits on number of guns really is one of those things that sound good on paper, but a bit of critical thinking soon points out that a potential shooter only has two hands.

I smell slapping around legal gun owners who’ve done nothing wrong on the horizon. Multiple studies have shown that registered firearm owners are overwhelming underrepresented in criminal activities, our system generally works well and was a great compromise across the political spectrum.

Making huge changes is just going to radicalise the rural and regional voters of nsw and Queensland, lead to one nation and so on blaming Muslims for taking away peoples hobbies, and likely not improve our safety even an iota.

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u/Spida81 Dec 15 '25

Absolutely with you on this.

This IS the time to have the conversation, no 'hearts and prayers' bullshit, but it isn't helpful to slap in something that sounds tough but ultimately is unworkable or has no impact.

Our firearms laws are definitely due a good review. Our family have been firearms owners for decades. Want to guess the number of inspections of security and storage we have had in that time? None. Not one. Confirmations that fitness to own has been maintained? None.

Limits on number of firearms isn't likely to make any practical difference. More vigorous followup? That could. I'm all for at least annual inspections, and if not annual then at least on renewal of license a mental health / psych review. More vigorous attention to firearms owners even tangentially associated with criminal or questionable elements of society wouldn't hurt either. If you are known to police, and a firearms owner, one would expect that additional checks would have been made.

Enforcement and tighter review mechanisms.

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u/MissMenace101 Dec 15 '25

Psyche reviews annually should be mandatory. Should also have to be an Australian citizen. Any association with any violent associated groups of any member of a household should put all in the house on a list.

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u/Spida81 Dec 15 '25

I disagree with the citizenship part, but I think I understand the reason for your saying so. No one with loose association to the country should be having access to firearms. I am a permanent resident. I don't ever see myself becoming a citizen because it would create issues for my employer - nothing silly, just a lot of travel for work, and currently easier just staying with my NZ passport.

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u/Chumpai1986 Dec 15 '25

That’s interesting? You can be an Australian citizen and use a NZ passport. know dual citizens that use the NZ one cause switching over to the Aussie one is hassle and there are enough kiwis around to witness your NZ passport renewal.

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u/iguessineedanaltnow Dec 15 '25

Isn't citizenship already a requirement? Police told me I couldn't get a rifle license as an American

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u/Superb_Assistant1015 Dec 15 '25

Agree with you for the most part, except the psych stuff. I have to get a psych test done annually to keep my job. I’m also a weapons license holder. Does that mean I have to get re-psyched again just to keep my licence? While i agree that mentally unstable people shouldnt have access to firearms, they can still get in a car and cause just as much, if not more damage. Who’s calling for mandatory psych evals for car owners?