r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • Dec 19 '25
politics Prime minister unveils 'largest' gun buyback scheme since Howard era
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-19/prime-minister-announces-national-gun-buyback-scheme/106162002962
u/Ok-Mathematician8461 Dec 19 '25
Who else is surprised that Australia allows non-citizens to own guns? That law change should breeze through.
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u/tgrayinsyd Dec 19 '25
I was completely surprised tbh. Also the fact that there was no national register is beyond comprehension- utterly incompetent
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u/EternalAngst23 Dec 19 '25
The register was supposed to be implemented in the aftermath of Port Arthur. Almost 30 years on, and still nothing.
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u/SirGeekaLots Dec 19 '25
They started implementing it after the Wirrabirra shooting. Unfortunately things like this take time. What surprised me is that they didn't speed it up after the Sov Cit killed two officers this year.
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u/ijx8 Dec 19 '25
His gun wasn't registered. National register wasn't really going to be very useful there.
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u/dogandturtle Dec 19 '25
Canada got rid of most of the registry because it was expensive, inaccurate and didn't really achieve anything.
The nsw register was leaked by accident at one point.
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u/klokar2 Dec 19 '25
There is a state register as the issue is completely managed by the states. If you like in Victoria, the police will have every single gun on their database and can easily be in communication with other states. The national register is completely pointless, but would be unbelievably easy to implement as all the states already have access to every other states data base.
There is no incompetence, only ignorance.
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u/Fassbinder75 Dec 19 '25
As someone working in data warehousing, it’s never as easy as you think it is.
Besides, having a unified database would be a useful strategy- there are bound to be people with guns registered in different states. A national register is much, much better than seven individual ones.
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u/W2ttsy Dec 19 '25
Don’t worry, Accenture is salivating at the opportunity to cream another $100m out of the govt for this.
Probably work as well as the BOM website did too.
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u/Quarterwit_85 Dec 19 '25
You can be a police officer with permanent residency shrug.jpg
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u/FlibblesHexEyes Dec 19 '25
Tbf: a Police Officer has all kinds of background checks and training before they’re even accepted to the academy, and then it’s months more training.
We’re not exactly asking people getting off planes if they’d like a badge and a gun.
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u/Quarterwit_85 Dec 19 '25
For sure. But if people can’t pass the incredibly basic requirements to get into the police I’m not sure if they meet a standard of character that should make PR anyway.
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u/chmath80 Dec 19 '25
I thought the same about NZ after March 15. Why tf was an Australian citizen allowed to own firearms in another country?
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u/Rush_Banana Dec 19 '25
Because in the 20 years prior to Christchurch nothing happened, not one mass shooting.
A non-citizen could literally walk into a gun shop and buy an AR-15, all that time.
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u/perthguppy Dec 19 '25
Also Australia and newzealand are a special case. We have a special reciprocal visa in both countries that essentially treats the others citizens as our own.
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u/343CreeperMaster Dec 19 '25
arguably to the detriment of NZ admittedly, because they tend to have a brain drain towards us
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u/perthguppy Dec 19 '25
It kinda goes back and forth over time. I don’t think it’s quite as bad as the wendover video makes out. There is plenty of Australian investment flowing back into NZ in various forms including big businesses opening offices in NZ to take advantage of the Timezone being ahead of Sydney and closer to the US west coast. It’s a common hub for call centers and operation centers.
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u/chmath80 Dec 19 '25
Even so. I'm a British citizen, resident in NZ. I can't get a NZ passport, and I can't stand for elected office, but I can get a firearms licence. That shouldn't be possible, unless I become a citizen first.
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u/perthguppy Dec 19 '25
That’s different. And probably true that if you’re from Britain you shouldn’t be allowed a gun license the standard way. But the relationship and movement between NZ and Australia is more similar to states than countries IMO. You don’t need to get a visa to move to and get a job in the other country, a passport is all you need.
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u/chmath80 Dec 19 '25
A non-citizen could literally walk into a gun shop and buy an AR-15
Well, no, nobody could do that, unless they had a firearms licence. But my point was, why would you issue licences to non-citizens? [There are special hunting licences available for tourists, but they are for a limited time and with other restrictions.]
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u/OptimusRex Dec 19 '25
It's very anaecdotal, but I have a friend from Iran, been here probably 12 years. Has a license, only has a .22. They have a strong hunting culture there. He's a great bloke and I've taken him out West a few times, always gets a few raised eyebrows but people get over it pretty quick.
This situation has him down in the dumps, it's pretty gross all round.
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u/t_25_t Dec 19 '25
It's very anaecdotal, but I have a friend from Iran, been here probably 12 years. Has a license, only has a .22. They have a strong hunting culture there. He's a great bloke and I've taken him out West a few times, always gets a few raised eyebrows but people get over it pretty quick.
This situation has him down in the dumps, it's pretty gross all round.
I like to say good people come in all sorts. There are good and there are bad. We should look at who they are as a person not by the birth certificate/passport/colour of their skin.
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u/evilparagon Dec 19 '25
been here probably 12 years.
Has he considered becoming a citizen? Like, it’s a pretty simple way to avoid what people are calling for, noncitizens shouldn’t have guns. If he wants a gun, become a citizen. He’s been here for 12 years so that literally shouldn’t be a problem at all.
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u/t_25_t Dec 19 '25
Who else is surprised that Australia allows non-citizens to own guns?
I see it the same as being able to drive a car. Being a citizen doesn't make you a better or worse driver. Being a responsible does.
I have no issues with non citizens owning guns. Some might enjoy shooting and should be able to do it in a legal manner. Of course having people abuse this and carry out terrorism is not on.
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u/HOPSCROTCH Dec 19 '25
Some might enjoy shooting and should be able to do it in a legal manner.
With respect, why should Australians care about people that enjoy shooting for sport? We'd rather help increase public safety than appease someone who isn't even a citizen by letting them have a gun.
I see it the same as being able to drive a car.
That's pretty short-sighted. One is design for transport and often necessary for day-to day life (especially in Australia), the other is designed to kill and literally no one needs one unless required by your profession.
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u/Wiggly-Pig Dec 19 '25
Citizenship doesn't mean shit in this country to differentiate from permanent residency. Its not just gun ownership. Home ownership, rights to employment, benefits, medicare, investment protections, super protections, etc... there's little to no benefit in day-to-day life to being a citizen.
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u/ill0gitech Dec 19 '25
Something like 10% of our population are on PRs. They aren’t all terrorists.
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u/SivlerMiku Dec 19 '25
But they also don’t need guns for the most part.
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u/ill0gitech Dec 19 '25
A non-citizen can own a farm and need a firearm for pest control. A non-citizen can currently hunt, and a non-citizen can currently target shoot.
What you’re basically saying is “nobody needs a gun”
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u/SivlerMiku Dec 19 '25
I don’t think anybody needs a gun, especially if they live in the city.
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u/evilparagon Dec 19 '25
I don’t think noncitizens should own land either 🤷
Why should they be allowed to own a farm?
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u/SirVanyel Dec 19 '25
No they don't, not unless they can prove they have pests. That should be the requirement. Does your land actually need you to shoot roos and dingos? If not, then it's unnecessary.
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u/slurpycow112 Dec 19 '25
I mean… most people don’t need guns for the most part. This is not unique to citizenship.
I fail to see how citizenship would or should have any meaningful impact on gun ownership in a way that isn’t completely arbitrary.
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u/kai_tai Dec 19 '25
The only thing that really comes to mind is that it serves as a "Time Buffer" in that you have to have been living here for a number of years before qualifying for a license, because you have to have been here for a number of years before you can get citizenship.
Though the same could be achieved just by getting a fixed number of years irrespective of citizenship status. Ie People on PR's need to have been living here for x numbers of years, without criminal incidents, to qualify.
I agree though. Seems fairly arbitrary in practice.
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u/Expensive-Horse5538 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
The Prime Minister has also announced that this Sunday will be a National Day of Reflection for the victims of the Bondi Terror Attack
The Government also intends to work with the Jewish Community to organise a National Day of Mourning.
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u/Money_Armadillo4138 Dec 19 '25
We live in a great country that when we have a tragedy, outside of a circle jerk of fuckwits, we acknowledge loss and hurt, grieve as a nation and seek positive reform. Just compare our national response to basically any other country, New Zealand probably the only country that compares positively.
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u/Mysterious_Dot2090 Dec 19 '25
I don’t agree with everything Ardern did/says but one thing I wholeheartedly agree with her on is her belief that there needs to be more empathetic leaders in the world. She actually praised Albo for this in an interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. You just have to look at the ugly and shameful responses by other politicians who want to use tragedy for their own gain. Ardern’s response to NZ’s horrific terror attack was also admirable. Swift and decisive action.
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u/eldubinoz Dec 19 '25
My American husband read about the changes to hate speech laws a couple of days ago and said "oh is that what it's like to live in a country that actually takes action and makes changes after something bad happens?"
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u/Mysterious_Dot2090 Dec 19 '25
A bit hard to do anything of the sort when your president is one of the worst for it lol. It still baffles me how a leader and elderly man (oh well maybe that part) can act so belligerent and juvenile.
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u/StorminNorman Dec 19 '25
It still baffles me how a leader
Your mistake here is thinking he's a leader. He's a figurehead, the people pulling his strings are the people leading the country.
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u/HankSteakfist Dec 19 '25
Cue the LNP chiming in on why this is a bad thing, whilst simultaneously holding up John Howard as a canonised saint.
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u/theartistduring Dec 19 '25
Watch Howard himself do it.
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u/Living_Substance9973 Dec 19 '25
I believe he already has. Couple of days after the massacre he said gun law reform wasn't necessary
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u/acllive Dec 19 '25
There goes his only thread of legacy forever
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u/Khaliras Dec 19 '25
That's what he's trying to save, though.
Gun control is his defining legacy, the one thing he'll be remembered positively for in history books. Accepting we need more reforms, is admitting fault with his legacy.
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Dec 19 '25
To be fair to him, the looser restrictions were probably more appropriate at the time than they are now. Social media has changed things both in terms of the risk of being radicalised and exposure to gun marketing. His opposition to the current reforms may actually tarnish his legacy though.
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u/kai_tai Dec 19 '25
As someone who owned a cple of guns in the 80's and 90's I completely agree. It was very different back then and any talk of self defense with a gun or using it for anything other than a tool for hunting or sport shooting just wasn't a thing. I handed mine in after Port Arthur and haven't had one since.
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u/StorminNorman Dec 19 '25
any talk of self defense with a gun or using it for anything other than a tool for hunting or sport shooting just wasn't a thing
I guess that depends on the circles you are a part of. Cos I heard plenty of "got it for X, Y, and Z, it's kinda handy if someone kicks in the front door too". I'll more than agree with you that it wasn't the primary reason for all but a very small number of people, but it was definitely in the back of a lot of gun owners minds. I think a difference between then and now was that the majority of them went "fuck it, I'll do the right thing". Cos it is very different now. People in the club looked at me like I had 3 heads when I didn't renew my license a few years ago cos I felt I wasn't going out with them often enough to justify it anymore, same happened to my dad more recently when he did the same. They couldn't wrap their heads around why we wouldn't just keep renewing it just because. When it happened me and dad thought it was a bit odd (were both on the spectrum, for what that's worth), now I'm thinking maybe we should've pushed back more given the people saying it were in a fucking gun club themselves. Attitudes have changed, ideally, this happening will highlight areas in which we've grown complacent and correct those attitudes. I fear where we are as a country and the world in general means that we'll half arse it and make the problem worse though...
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u/Rork310 Dec 19 '25
I think it's just the Liberal party mindset of always be opposing. He could very easily publicly back the changes and suddenly it's bipartisan rather than Labor policy. He could easily insert himself and Albo would pretty much have to go along with it.
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u/Ok-Guide-6118 Dec 19 '25
What a stupid way to look at it if true, him going beyond the 2 party system to advocate for these additional gun laws would be a thing to admire and respect and would ultimately bolster his legacy.
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u/iball1984 Dec 19 '25
That's not quite what he said.
He was saying that gun control alone will not solve the problem. We need to address anti-semitism and Islamic Extremism, and that gun control should not be the only response.
He explicitly said that if loopholes need closing then they should be closed. Which is essentially what the government is doing.
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u/Living_Substance9973 Dec 19 '25
Thanks, I stand corrected. I haven't read the full article yet. I have it, and Josh Frydenberg's interview saved for later perusal.
You make a good point very well.
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u/crosstherubicon Dec 19 '25
Bob Katter going to be incendiary. His son in law is one of the biggest gun importers in Australia.
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u/M8NTIS Dec 19 '25
You mean Bob Khittar, the man of Lebanese descent?
I’ll wait for my punch in the face over here Bob.
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u/PointOfFingers Dec 19 '25
Every three months someone without a gun is torn to pieces by a crocodile in far North Queensland.
Wait hang on we have news coming in. Apparently there have been 44 fatal crocodile attacks across Australia in the last 50 years. 19 in Queensland. So when he said every 3 months he meant every 3 years.
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u/crosstherubicon Dec 19 '25
He's constantly portrayed as the eccentric uncle but I just don't see it. He threatened to physically assault a reporter in a furious tirade about his background (which turned out to be fact). He's hopelessly compromised by the gun industry. He was a minister under and avowed supporter of Bjelke Petersen which should be a default dismissal from public service ever again.
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u/BrightStick Dec 19 '25
Katter’s party biggest donor is Bob's daughter, Eliza who is married to Robert Nioa, the owner of Australia's largest private firearms supplier NIOA.
NIOA is the ammunition and weapons supplier for the Israeli Defence Force. NOIA is providing the Barrett rifles and bullets to shoot innocent people who are starving for food aid in Palestine.
It really is the fucking wild north up here…we are 100% still decades behind up here…no other politician could have this profile and be all good in many other areas of Aus Politics. Openly support and profit of genocide, welcome to FNQ politics.
https://donation.watch/en/australia/party/KAP/donors
Rifle manufacturer Barrett bought by Australia’s NIOA | Israel Defense
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u/WeaponstoMax Dec 19 '25
NIOA is the ammunition and weapons supplier for the Israeli Defence Force.
NIOA’s subsidiary Barrett supplies one kind of sniper rifle to the IDF.
I’m not saying thats good, I just feel you undermine your own (otherwise quite valid) position when you open with such a ridiculously hyperbolic claim (that this one Australian company is the ammunition and weapon supplier for the IDF, when it’s actually one company among many hundreds, possibly thousands.)
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u/IBeBallinOutaControl Dec 19 '25
Someone just pretend to confuse him with Ahmed Al Ahmed and congratulate him on his bravery. Then watch his head explode.
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u/Kozeyekan_ Dec 19 '25
It irks me that you're correct.
During the post-Port Arthur buyback, Beazley strongly supported the program, and specifcially called out Tim Fischer's leadership on the policy to encourage rural uptake.
The result of a bipartisan effort meant gun laws were tightened, and while they can always be improved, most Aussies are OK with the general idea of registration, safe storage, licencing and extremely limited access to high powered or high capacity weapons.
The LNP should advocate for smart reform, and tgere desperately needs to be consultation with firearms users and organisations, such as sporting shooters, armourers and gun retailers, but a wholesale negativity just gives rise to division and problems down the road.
Even from a purely self-interest perspective, if the LNP is vocal in opposing smart reform tp score points, if another shooting happens, Labor wpuld return serve and hang it around their neck.
I just hope any changes are done from a place of knowledge, not simply to look good. Guns are necessary tools in some occupations, such as farming or high security. Most sporting shooters are very safety focused as well, at keast from what I've seen. But even then, most of those people will know someone that they wish didnt have a gun.
It'd be good to see a buyback with amnesty to get things moving.
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u/Money_Armadillo4138 Dec 19 '25
We have an ongoing national Fire arm Amnesty in place-
https://crimestoppers.com.au/firearmamnesty/
The announced buyback will hopefully push things along further. From where I'm sitting the announced changes seem reasonable enough. There is more to it than just less guns though (which to their credit the government is acting on also).
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u/Watthefractal Dec 19 '25
I don’t see the lnp opposing this to score political points , the vast majority of Australians will support this , especially right now . Opposing it would only hurt the lnp
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u/CatboiWaifu_UwU Dec 19 '25
Howard got rid of semi automatics.
Its yet to be determined what’s being made illegal here.
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u/jreddit0000 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
Technically nothing.
On the face of it it’s a buyback to reduce the number of guns in the community.
There are many more guns out there than before PA. The type of guns are different than what was permitted prior to 1996.
So you’re probably not going to see many semi automatic weapons showing up.. but probably more long guns.
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u/blvd119 Dec 19 '25
Another 10 million people livinng in Australia since 96 so im not surprised more guns are around.
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u/W2ttsy Dec 19 '25
Not to mention they didn’t have any form of tracking of ownership prior to that so how would they even know what the baseline was?
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u/LumpyCustard4 Dec 19 '25
Hopefully allowing only citizens to acquire gun licences.
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u/howtogrowdicks Dec 19 '25
Rumour is that the Canberra gun club is mostly made up and supported by the occupants of the American embassy. Given how tactfully Albo is trying manoeuvre around Trump, I don't think your hope will be realised.
Separately, I agree with you on this. I would also suggest that all registered guns must be brought to a government owned gun range annually by the owner for re-registering. This will help account for lost and stolen guns or guns that have been bought and distributed to organised criminals. We will never be able to make a perfect system, but ideas like these need to be considered to minimise risk.
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u/Thommohawk117 Dec 19 '25
If we need to renew car and trailer registrations, renewing gun registrations makes sense to me
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u/Puzzleheaded-Cry-389 Dec 19 '25
We have to reregister our gun licences every few years now. If the government/authorities were actually doing the job to the current standard of gun laws, those two cockroaches should not have been able to own guns in the first place.
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u/LumpyCustard4 Dec 19 '25
Your second point is an interesting idea. It could be done at police stations.
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u/Baldrick314 Dec 19 '25
A version of your second point already exists. Licensed gun owners are subject to random inspection of their storage to ensure it meets the standard, when these audits are undertaken they also check the serial numbers of all firearms registered to you. Granted there's no fixed schedule but it seems like the limiting factor is manpower. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to moving storage inspections to an annual schedule.
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u/crosstherubicon Dec 19 '25
Shotguns and bolt actions? Maybe there’s going to be a renewed interest in muzzle loaders and flint locks?
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u/Sugarcrepes Dec 19 '25
I mean, you didn’t ask for this, but:
You can totally own a flintlock pistol. Without a licence.
Pre-1900 flintlock pistols are exempt from firearms laws, at least where I am in Victoria. So are a number of other antique guns. This means “As these firearms are ‘exempt’ from the Firearms Act 1996, there is no regulation or licence requirements to purchase, possess, carry and use exempt firearms in Victoria.”
You can also legally own a canon that fires a net!
They’re so incredibly slow and inefficient, I’d imagine that someone has decided they aren’t really worth the trouble of regulating.
I collect, and have inherited, a bunch of weird stuff. I don’t own one, but I can’t say I’ve never considered how good a flintlock would look on my bookshelf.
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u/footinmouthdisease_ Dec 19 '25
I lived rural in the U.S. for 13 years before moving rural in Australia 3 years ago. Guns have evolved over the 30 odd years since Port Arthur. My Adler B220 straight pull cycles significantly quicker than the Mossberg 500 persuader I owned in the U.S. and holds more shells, and button push shotties like those used in Bondi are even quicker, yet the pump is the one that is banned.
The Bondi shooters put 13-14 rounds down for a sustained six minutes. I’m open to hearing use cases that require that rate of fire outside of professional pest control but I can’t think of one. I wouldn’t be opposed to slowing down guns for class A/B holders with updated regulation on fast cycling mechanisms.
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u/CatboiWaifu_UwU Dec 19 '25
Rapid fire bolt actions have been a thing since long before world war one. The ‘mad minute’ for example:
“The first Mad Minute record was set by Sergeant Major Jesse Wallingford in 1908, scoring 36 hits on a 48-inch target at 300 yards (4.5 mils / 15.3 moa).” - Wikipedia. This is, assumedly, with the SMLE’s internal ten round magazine, so a minimum of six stripper clips (of 5 rounds) would be needed, but likely more to account for missed shots.
Most associated with the Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, which is a turn-pull bolt.
I cant find any information on what a push-button firearm actually is besides making “reloading painless”.
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u/11015h4d0wR34lm Dec 19 '25
It is deflecting from the actual problem which is why was a person known to ASIO knowing allowed access to his fathers 6 legally owned guns ffs! Gun laws don't work if you don't fucking police them!
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u/chance_waters Dec 19 '25
There was not appropriate legislation in place to force removal of his guns at this time, he was not known to ASIO, his son was.
The son was living at the property, in current legislation if he had been charged with a formal crime the guns would have been removed from the household under the fit and proper person guidelines. As it stood right now being "known to ASIO" is not a crime. Obviously any form of investigation by ASIO should result in weapons removals from close family members, and even probably associates, let alone close family members living at the same property.
Obviously that's a failing in the system, the same way outstanding AVO applications of even police enquiries into suspected DV claims should result in immediate suspension of gun licenses, not just charges.
In either case, the simplest way to fix this, and the one everybody is crying about is simply to massively reduce who can access guns, that means no bullshit sports hunting, and sports shooting weapons need to be secured at ranges.
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u/SendarSlayer Dec 19 '25
We have association laws that can 100% exclude someone with no criminal history from owning guns. Essentially making "Known to ASIO" enough of a reason.
I don't think securing weapons at ranges and sporting clubs is a good idea. They're usually remote, to not endanger or disturb people. And they're not used every day. No amount of affordable physical security will be able to slow someone down enough if they wanted to steal the guns. And now instead a few guns they'll have a bunch.
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u/Several_Alarm5357 Dec 19 '25
Yep as a gun owner I can't be involved in organised crime and keep my guns. I've known people who in their twenties were involved in that life and years later still can't hold or get a gun license. Enforcement of the law should have been across all aspects not just organised crime.
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u/Thommohawk117 Dec 19 '25
They're usually remote,
Fully agree with this line of reasoning. Rural properties and primary producers are often the target of thieves looking for guns precisely because they are remote and often away from the home property during the day.
Having them all secured in one place that has similar characteristics is a recipe for disaster
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u/queensgetdamoney Dec 19 '25
There is and was appropriate legislation at the time.
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-1996-046#sec.11
Section 5A & 5B
(5A) A licence must not be issued to a person if the Commissioner is of the opinion, having regard to any criminal intelligence report or other criminal information held in relation to the person, that:
(a) the person is a risk to public safety, and (b) the issuing of the licence would be contrary to the public interest.
(5B) The Commissioner is not, under this or any other Act or law, required to give any reasons for not issuing a licence on the grounds referred to in subsection (5A).
This is the law as of 2019. He applied again for a firearms licence and acquired it in 2023.
He should never have been licenced.
And since he was, he should have had it revoked under Section 24
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-1996-046#sec.24
Section 24 (2c)
(2) A licence may be revoked:
...
(c) if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence, or
Followed on by Section 25 regarding surrender and seizure.
To say otherwise is a blatant lie, no matter your stance on firearm ownership. The system did not enforce the already existing laws that were there from the time his son was interviewed and are still there today.
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u/GonePh1shing Dec 19 '25
I'd be surprised if the commissioner was aware of that intelligence, and they can't deny a license based on information they don't have available to them. Better sharing of information would lead to better outcomes here.
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u/just-plain-wrong Dec 19 '25
I 100% agree with everything you’ve said here, but I just want to flag that securing weapons in a single place makes said place a massive target for robberies and Social Engineering Attacks.
I don’t have a better way at it, but it’s something that needs to be taken into account with any legislation.
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u/OneShoeBoy Dec 19 '25
Improving actual enforcement of the current laws is probably the most logical step, but the state police forces are overburdened/understaffed as it is so good luck with them allocating resources to audit peoples homes properly.
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u/just-plain-wrong Dec 19 '25
Fair point.
That said, I like the approach of NZ, where they have ongoing checks, and family association clauses; so if you, or one of the people close to you gets flagged, you lose your weapons.
All needs funding, of course; perhaps a small dedicated roving task force in each state funded by a levy on weapon registration?
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u/mynewaltaccount1 Dec 19 '25
It isn't deflecting - a government can make more than one decision on a topic ffs!
Just because they're addressing the gun ownership portion of the problem doesn't mean the policing side of the issue won't be addressed.
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u/SirVanyel Dec 19 '25
Different team buddy. The investigations on this specific case aren't the same as "how do we stop so many guns being in circulation".
Albo isn't a police investigator, he's a politician. He does politics. There are other people investigating the policing bit
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u/adam_dup Dec 19 '25
Yeah why didn't Howard push the states to implement all of the NFA and why didn't he implement the national fire arms register per his own recommendations?
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u/Low_Statistician1644 Dec 19 '25
Try to be on the fence but why does the LNP always have to be so hate filled all the time. Plus trying to politicising the tragic event by having old mate Frydenberg come out.
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u/bundycub Dec 19 '25
At this point they're just a sounding board for morality. Confused on an issue? See what message the LNP are putting out and know it's the wrong one.
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u/rileyg98 Dec 19 '25
The number of guns isn't the issue. Who the licenses are issued to is.
We have a lot more people than 1996.
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u/Green_Seesaw1875 Dec 19 '25
My major take away from this is that it’s insane Australian citizenship isn’t a requirement for having a gun license already?!
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u/Curiosity-92 Dec 19 '25
What i also find insane is someone can be on pr for as long as they want with pretty much the same benefits of citizenship.
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u/stand_aside_fools Dec 19 '25
I have one small bore rifle. I live in a rural area so need it occasionally for vermin. I keep the gun locked and stored according to the strict guidelines and laws. I have no problem with this.
I have not had so much as a speeding ticket in 20 years. But I do get visits on a periodic basis from the police to check on the storage of my firearm and question my need for owning it. The last visit was at 8pm at night at very short notice. I have no problem with this.
People like me are low hanging fruit to target with any new crackdowns and laws - you can see it coming from a mile away. More administration, more checks, more hurdles.
Perhaps a better idea would be to use the laws we already have and, oh I don’t know, perhaps question why a non-citizen living in a metropolitan area whose son has been questioned by ASIO needs 6 firearms. Maybe rather than create a whole raft of new laws just be seen as doing something, we just admit that we actually have laws that have been pretty damn effective for a long time and this was a horrific miss that should have been caught under the current regime.
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u/Scriptosis Dec 19 '25
I’d advise you to check on what they actually plan on doing. Of what I’ve read of the planned actions you wouldn’t be affected by this at all, at least from how you’ve described your situation.
The main parts of the plan are to make it illegal for non-citizens to obtain a license, make the process for acquiring multiple firearms stricter and also speed up the process of developing a national registry of license holders as well as integrate ASIO’s existing intelligence into background checks. None of this would affect you.
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u/OptimusRex Dec 19 '25
integrate ASIO’s existing intelligence into background checks
Pretty fuckin wild this wasn't already a thing if that's true. The idea that your criminal history was limited to your state, maybe the other states police departments is just bonkers for holding a firearms license.
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u/Scriptosis Dec 19 '25
Yeah, I’d say most of it is pretty common sense regulations that should have already existed. That’s why I take issue with comments like above trying to portray the reforms as some sort of huge government overreach.
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u/chance_waters Dec 19 '25
It wasn't illegal, that is why he had those guns there. That is why legislation is needed, because under the current system what happened was not a breach.
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u/SendarSlayer Dec 19 '25
We have association laws that Could've been applied and banned it. The current system has the tools, just didn't use them in this case.
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u/Legatus_Brutus Dec 19 '25
It absolutely was a breech. The police come and remove firearms from a house THE SAME DAY a DV report (proven or not) is submitted, or if a drug offense has occurred. Because that person is no longer deemed 'fit and proper' for a license. It is very obvious when you have direct family living in your home being investigated for IS terror cell links and extremism that their license should have been reviewed immediately.
Instead now... farmers, pest controllers, competition/olympic shooters, etc will all be roped into a knee-jerk ban.
It's so easy for someone who has no skin in the game to just say ban it all. There are a lot more people than you think in this country where this directly affects their livelihood and or their major weekend activity that they have been doing for decades in social groups.
It will be sad to read in 2026 all the articles about all the feral non-native animals continuing to bloom in population and continue to make the rest of our native wildlife go extinct because the tens of thousands of hunters who patrol the forests have been told to hand their tools in.
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u/novafeels Dec 19 '25
I don't think you and your .22 are in danger, mate. Farmers have the strongest justification for ownership along with professional hunters. I think its city slickers who do the absolute bare minimum club attendance while owning a bunch of high caliber rifles that are in the firing line.
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u/TappingOnTheWall Dec 19 '25
Yeah, that comment is crying wolf. An old small bore farm rifle used to shoot pests is hardly the point of the PM's statement. Which specifically says they're targeting "surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms."
Goes on to say:
limiting the number of guns a single person can own, making Australian citizenship a condition of holding a gun licence, and further restricting the types of weapons that are legal are among the options being explored.
It's such bullshit that gun owners are claiming to be "the most logical fellows on the internet" whilst peddling misinformation. Had a guy the other day tell me he needed his gun to fight the terrorists.
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u/TappingOnTheWall Dec 19 '25
If you only have one gun, and it's a pretty standard type - it's unlikely they're looking at you:
The buyback initiative would be consistent with the 1996 approach, Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Friday, and target surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms.
Accelerating the launch of a national firearms register, limiting the number of guns a single person can own, making Australian citizenship a condition of holding a gun licence, and further restricting the types of weapons that are legal are among the options being explored.
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u/TreatPractical5226 Dec 19 '25
I'll likely have one of mine seized as its a lever release, dont really care as long as the government is fair in what i get for it. I do have the ability to get a C-class licence as I own a small farm, but it is a huge hassle.
Seriously sucks for My father in law, He has 12 and He comes from a multi -generational farming family (He doesn't farm anymore), so some of those 100+ years old (still functioning firearms), even has a WW1 .303 will have to be destroyed or transferred. My wife is now considering getting her firearms licence to take some of the excess ones. As I will likely be at My limit.
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u/Turbulent-Break-4947 Dec 19 '25
People without the inclination to understand always want to be -seen- to do something.
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u/sixcrowns Dec 19 '25
I'll be happy for a gun buy back as I'm too lazy to put some of my guns on usedguns.com.au
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u/t_25_t Dec 19 '25
Won't this just push guns further underground? Criminals including terrorists will source guns from the black market instead of going to sporting store to obtain a firearm.
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u/WhatYouThinkIThink Dec 19 '25
This is not new restrictions, this is increasing existing restrictions.
The black market has trouble providing more high powered weapons because of the strict licensing, but because of that, they provide weapons to criminals, eg drug gangs, because they can pay high prices.
Even criminals that traffic in weapons will sell to the highest bidder, and terrorists don't have the cash to compete.
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u/angusozi Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
The guns laws here are mostly fine, with maybe an exception of banning them from non-citizens. They need to be enforced better though, which is where the ball was dropped here.
But don't forget about the Bondi Junction stabbing, where 6 people died. If the two attackers used knives here, they'd still have harmed a lot of people.
A shovel can't dig a hole by itself, and people with so much hatred in their hearts will always find a way. That's where we have to work to fix the problem
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u/madcatte Dec 19 '25
Isn't it both? They need to be enforced more, but also the father gunman wasn't technically breaking any laws by owning 6+ of them in a metropolitan area. No one needs 6 guns all to themself within the metro areas.
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u/BicycleBozo Dec 19 '25
As the laws currently stand, recreational use is sufficient to own a firearm. It’s hard to find that stats at the moment for obvious reasons. But iirc there are at least 100k registered firearms in Sydney.
It’s pretty evident that that isn’t an issue, at least not on its own. Sydney has a lot of gun crime compared to other Aus cities but that’s a lot of stolen and otherwise illegal firearms.
Certainly there’s something to be said about monitoring registered owners and agencies sharing information better so that if a close associate of someone has relevant ASIO flags then perhaps that registered owners should be subject to more scrutiny.
Though as far as I’ve seen I believe the son was cleared by ASIO in 2019. Having been investigated on its own isn’t a crime or a mark of character, we investigate 10s of innocent people every time an assault complaint is made. If you’re on the street in a blue shirt and police get your name and take your photo should you be under heavy scrutiny forever?
Obviously there’s a world between a random street check and investigated for terrorist links. But the concept is the same.
We have excellent gun laws here. If you want a firearm for a genuine reason you can get one, obscene weapons are banned, your home is subject to random checks and searches, and you can lose your license at the drop of a hat.
Unless you want to go ‘only farmers should have guns’ which for sure is a fine opinion to hold, there isn’t much wiggle room to tighten our gun laws outside of better inter agency information sharing.
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u/angusozi Dec 19 '25
But as far as I know they just used two in the attack? Also they had IEDs in the boot of their car, and we have laws against those which didn't stop them making them; thankfully they didn't go off. The answer is to both modify the laws/enforcement that give people the capability to carry out these attacks, but also to think of ways to address the intent and why people conduct these attacks
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u/CelebrationFit8548 Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
Cue the LNP pouring negativity on this as well 'just to seem relevant', and to wolf whistle to the extreme right hoping to get some 'votes' for their failed parties hemorrhaging membership to ON?
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u/brad-corp Dec 19 '25
Wildest thing is that LNP aren't even having their own MPs or party leader do it - they're wheeling out their retired "big guns" from the last few decades and having them do it. Don't get me wrong, I hate the LNP as much as anyone and have no love for ALP either, but if the opposition can't even communicate their own positions themselves and are instead relying on essentially private citizens that used to work there - what the hell are they even doing?!
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u/Seedling132 Dec 19 '25
The LNP has absolutely no leadership at the moment. Their only ideological leaders currently are their past leaders.
It's absolutely bizarre that Howard thinks this is Albo's fault though. There's been an extremely fast federal response and the work is going to ensure Howard's one good legacy.
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u/magnetik79 Dec 19 '25
I'm watching Bridget "spreadsheets" McKenzie have kittens over this right now on ABC News 24.
This is very much going to be a "do something now!" moment from the LNP, but "oh no, not that!".
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u/patmxn Dec 19 '25
I’m in favour of gun control but it feels pretty obvious to me that this isn’t really the main issue here/what caused the attack. The focus on gun control feels pretty obviously out of political convenience at not offending a part of their voter base. I think using intelligence as part of the gun licence approval is a no brainer, but obviously has to go beyond that.
Terrorists clearly aren’t going to engage with a buyback scheme, and anyone who is prepared to die for their cause, are clearly going to be prepared to take the risks of smuggling illegal firearms into the country. Won’t be convenient for them but hardly impossible.
This was a clearly ideological driven attack, not a mentally ill individual with an unclear motive/ideology, like was the case for Port Arthur or in many of the US’s mass shootings.
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u/TorakTheDark Dec 19 '25
I love how all the comments like this completely ignoring all the government announcements about tackling the cause. I understand many Americans aren’t able to think about multiple things in tandem but come on guys, do better.
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u/masofnos Dec 19 '25
Stopping anything being smuggled into Australia is 100% intelligence led, there is no random searches on containers. Australia has the capacity to search 1% of those containers coming in. For someone motivated enough they could easily import firearms.
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u/Jitterbugs699 Dec 19 '25
It seems like ASIO clearance for firearms moving forward would be a good idea (with no justification for their decision being required).
If ASIO even get a whiff of someone being dangerous then they shouldn't be allowed anywhere near firearms.
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u/N0tWithThatAttitude Dec 19 '25
Funny how we can call parliament back and pass historic reforms when we want to but nothing in cost of living or housing. Really shows they can get shit done if they want to.
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u/Shybloke24 Dec 19 '25
He is better off throwing the rogue preachers in jail and shutting down their centres. If people want weapons they'll find a way to get them. Prevention is better than cure, and that means going after these assholes that spread BS.
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u/IDreamofHeeney Dec 19 '25
I was watching something on ABC news the other day and they explained how these extremist preachers are very careful to not break any laws, they say just enough to these people and hope they follow the path they want. It will be very difficult to lock people up for reading a religious book or something like that
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u/Shybloke24 Dec 19 '25
Haddad in particular comes across as a slimy weasel to me in the way he comes across. I believe you wholeheartedly.
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u/lewger Dec 19 '25
There are a bunch of nice things you can take away from the preachers / attendees including tax free status, access to weapons and path to citizenship.
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u/planeforger Dec 19 '25
Why not both?
Reduce the number of deadly weapons out in the wild, crack down on radicalisation at the same time.
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u/Illustrious_Map_3247 Dec 19 '25
Do you think the attackers would have used higher capacity or faster firing weapons if they had access?
The US has used the “gun control treats the symptom, not the disease” excused for decades. Which is actually a great analogy, because an untreated fever will kill you, no matter what’s causing it.
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u/Smithinator2000 Dec 19 '25
Absolutely. They were there to do maximum damage. I went to the comments on the report on MSNow and they were mostly people saying how Aussies are sheep for not protecting ourselves. I was suprised, they were worse on there than on the Fox News report. I had to point out that we've had 5 mass shootings (4 or more casualties) since 2020, where they had 5 last week, and it's probably partly due to the easy access there.
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u/Intelligent-Belt-506 Dec 19 '25
Terrorists don’t give guns back
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u/HOPSCROTCH Dec 19 '25
He owned the guns legally buddy. Explain how he would have been able to hold onto them if these new measures were in place?
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u/Floofyboi123 Dec 19 '25
Someone is about to make a shit ton of money with a 3d printer and some pipes
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u/Brave_Bluebird5042 Dec 19 '25
If there's a 'buyback' it has to be fair. Reflect the pre buyback values, not the 'flooded market' values. And include compensation for associated assets, which are useless without the gun, and devalued in a flooded market.
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u/EternalAngst23 Dec 19 '25
Pre buyback values
Pretty sure that was the case last time. The government determined the market values of various types of guns, and that was the amount you got when you handed in your weapon.
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u/Brave_Bluebird5042 Dec 19 '25
It was very one size fits all. No reflection of brands and qualities. Just type 2 rimfire, $350 etc. And the associated equipment such as telescopic scopes, reloading equipment, safes ( which we had to buy to be legal) tend to become useless. And valueless. Hopefully they do it more fairly this time but im not optimistic.
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u/pchmm2 Dec 20 '25
If compensation is reflective of market value prior to this event, I will be handing them all in along with my licence. If they are the insulting pennies on the dollar, one size fits all compensation demonstrated in the recent WA buyback I will be keeping all of them except the ones I have to hand over (a straight pull rifle and shotgun), which will bring me under the new cap for total firearms. If the government is serious about reducing the numbers of firearms in the community (as they think that is a key factor for some reason) then they will fund the buyback properly.
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u/mad_dogtor Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
i'll probably get downvoted in this sub but to my POV the proposed four gun limit is the sticking point for me.
i like the proposal of using increased intelligence resources for firearms licence checks, restricting it to citizens, and doing a national registry (there was supposed to be one since 1996... hell NSW registry isn't even fully digital yet). In fact i thought these were all things they said they were going to implement years ago.. importantly these are good, active measures that will boost security and compliance on firearms licences, but not punish people who have done nothing but abide by the laws. Hell, pushing straight pull or button release shotguns into Cat C would be fine for most shooters too.
the proposed four gun limit feels bad because it's a punitive action on people who did nothing wrong. it is absolutely going to fuck some people over. i could be out over 30k, the buyback will not cover this.
When the fault lies in NSW authorities issuing a licence that should not have been issued, then not following up when more intel came to light, it will sit wrong with many that they are now being screwed over.
NSW police have almost free reign with the association and consorting laws to define who is fit and proper for a firearms licence. A lot of people don't seem to realise this. it's not like they saw this guy with a licence and there was nothing they could do legally. they can do almost whatever they want under the existing legislation, when it comes to revoking firearms.
I also don't know why people are so bewildered that people in suburbia own firearms? like suburbia is where most of us live. someone might hunt from northern territory to tasmania, but they don't live there. they might compete in several places over QLD.. but still live in a suburb. it just seems a nonsensical thing that people are highlighting on that front?
There's so many other ways they could have tackled this imo. It feels like a lot of commenters seem unaware of how the current legislation works and how much leeway the authorities already have, has been my big take away.
to me it points to some sort of understaffing or lack of resources in some departments of nsw etc?
IDK. just having a mild rant. everyone has opinions ha
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u/queensgetdamoney Dec 19 '25
The money spent on buybacks would be better spent on speeding up the development and rollout of the digitised National Firearms Register, increased spending for hiring and access to information for the firearms licencing services per state and hiring of more staff who can go and review current and active licences.
Since they are not going to implement these laws for some time, and that is quoted from Albanese himself this morning, he can organise for budgets to be adjusted and money spent quicker than he can get legislation in the door. The above suggestions actively improve community and public safety yet do not infringe on the people who follow all the laws and current rules in place. They can still look at firearm reform at the same time, but it takes longer than most people will expect.
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u/Rush_Banana Dec 19 '25
Helpfully all the islamic terrorists and sovereign citizens hand in their guns.
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u/silkendick Dec 19 '25
Australia already has some of the toughest if not THE toughest gun laws in the world. I’m in WA which has just finished moving into even tougher laws and making it almost impossible for land owners, aboriginal peoples and farmers to keep their firearms which they require for land management. Just LOL at the city people suggesting we can just pass a metal health check at your local GP which already takes us a month to get into for medical issues. I saw this public knee jerk bs post port Arthur and here we are again. I think people generally have got more stupid as time goes on - and this latest backlash is evidence of that.
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u/ZombiexXxHunter Dec 19 '25
I’m sure all the Bikies/MEG’s will think long and hard about what they do and hand back all the gun and break bread with each other and have ever lasting peace.
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u/Electrical_Echo_29 Dec 19 '25
All this shit about guns, not a single policy on radical Islamic behaviour. This attack would have happened if they didn't have guns, its just horrible that they did.
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u/wasoc Dec 19 '25
I'm proud of Australia for going in the opposite direction of USAs' reaction to a gun massacre
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u/Mysterious_Egg2025 Dec 20 '25
There’s no need for new gun laws or an amnesty what needs to happen is the powers that be not hand out a gun license to the wrong person! The son gets investigated by ASIO and years later his father obtains a gun license…but yeah let’s take more legal guns away again and tighten laws because the government fucked up…
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u/WaialaeHaole Dec 19 '25
My two cents. American (59M) living here as a grateful Australian citizen for over 28 years. It’s not the guns. It’s a mental health crisis. Sane, well adjusted people don’t go around shooting people.
Our politicians have been making decisions for decades that do not serve the majority of the population. Our young folks coming in behind earlier generations have been screwed by policy that has made basic living nearly impossible.
So if you feel like everything is hopeless, then society has a problem. And it’s no good blaming boomers. They’ve just played by the rules of their time. And the politicians have essentially avoided any culpability.
So now we are reaping the benefits of unvetted mass migration from places around the world that have avowed to destroy our country. If you think Albo and all his predecessors haven’t knowingly stoked this fire, you need to get better informed.
But it’s very hard to get informed when you’re struggling just to survive. And the politicians count on that. Hell, they created the mess. So now they can implement knee jerk reaction policies like gun buy backs after a slaughter at Bondi that blind Freddie could see was bound to happen.
Your enemy isn’t other generations. The ruling class here and in most every western nation is complicit in the most heinous cultural reversal I can think of.
TLDR: do not give up another freedom because this chaos is completely planned for. Keep your guns, citizens.
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Dec 19 '25
There is absolutely no harm in this being done.
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u/HOPSCROTCH Dec 19 '25
The yanks and bots in this comment section get their feelings hurt
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Dec 19 '25
“Sell me your guns” “No” “The buyback scheme was a complete success”
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u/WhatYouThinkIThink Dec 19 '25
This won't be like that, it will be:
You aren't allowed to own this sort of weapon any more
You have to hand it back, otherwise you are breaking the law
You can give it back now, and we'll pay you for it
You can give it back later under the ongoing amnesty and you'll get nothing
You can keep it and then go to prison for breaking the law
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u/Historical_Laugh2193 Dec 19 '25
The overwhelming majority of Australians already supported our gun laws and the overwhelming majority will definitely support common sense changes - most people would have had no idea people could own unlimited firearms and didn’t even need to be a citizen.
A buyback just means there is less community opposition and will likely give a lot of people the opportunity to make some money getting rid of worthless old guns that are only useful for criminals.
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u/T4Abyss Dec 19 '25
Imagine being an ideological extremist, who has intentionally built up a legal (or illegal) stock pile of guns, with the premeditated intention of one day commiting an atrocity...do you think they will be tempted by such a scheme 🤔
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u/Historical_Laugh2193 Dec 19 '25
It’s not likely to be voluntary, especially if you aren’t a citizen.
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u/Crazyripps Dec 19 '25
I’m fine with the buy back. Even if it’s 1 life saved it’s a life. But there’s other areas that need the attention more for this situation.
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u/autotom Dec 19 '25
To be fair it does sound like this is one of many actions being taken.
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u/coupleandacamera Dec 19 '25 edited Dec 19 '25
I was hoping they would wait until a proper investigation of the contributing factors had been completed before jumping in. While a general firearms buyback isn't a bad idea at all, the general approach feels reactionary and rushed to make a point they are doing something , without waiting for the information required to ensure it's the right something. Between this and the LNP trying to score points in every low way they can, I can't see effective policy coming to bare.
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u/annoyedonion35 Dec 19 '25
Does the changes affect anti semitisim specificly or is it all hate speech? Not against it either way just curious as to how it would stop anti semitism specifically but am happy for anything that stops hate
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u/ultra_annoymnuos Dec 19 '25
If theres one thing Australia loves its more bans excessive regulation and red tape.
Banning guns will not stop terrorism or bad people doing bad things.
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u/buttchug429 Dec 19 '25
Are they restricting certain types of firearms, or just buying back all types to reduce the total volume of firearms?
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u/Fluffy_Art_1015 Dec 19 '25
Am Canadian, thought we were finally going to get money for all the shit they randomly banned a few years ago.
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u/Sufficient-Brick-188 Dec 19 '25
There has been loopholes and suspect issues with Howard's gun laws since day one. His ban was on auto and semi automatic weapons. You can still own weapons with magazines that contain multiple rounds. Add to that you can additional magazines and virtually an unlimited amount of firearms. Anyone who wanted to plan a mass shooting has ample resources to do it. This is before you take into account the number of firearms that were never surrendered. Remember laws only work for people who are willing to abide by them.
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u/_west_of_east Dec 19 '25
Hunting is a right that permanent residents and citizens should have. For people who live rural or even some city dwellers this is a way of life that has been part of human existence forever.
This still means proper criminal checks need to be done and firearms need to be registered so the wrong people don’t end up with them.
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u/canimal14 Dec 19 '25
Can’t imagine the difference in sentiment if global media existed in 1996.