7am Why Australia has more guns than ever
7 snips
Jan 19, 2026 In this discussion, Ebony Bennett, the Deputy Director at The Australia Institute, delves into Australia's rising gun ownership rates despite historic reforms post-Port Arthur. She outlines the gaps in current firearm policies and critiques the Coalition's resistance against Labor's proposed reforms. Bennett also highlights the impact of political lobbying on gun laws and the necessity of a national firearms registry for public safety. With four million legal guns in circulation, the conversation raises important questions about accountability and reform.
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Federal Plan Targets Excess Firearms
- The government plans limits on how many firearms one person can hold and tighter licensing rules, plus a major national buyback and import restrictions.
- These measures target weapons like those used in the Bondi attack and aim to close regulatory gaps between jurisdictions.
Port Arthur Reforms Had Clear Effects
- The 1996 National Firearms Agreement banned semi-automatic and automatic weapons, introduced licensing, storage rules and a buyback that removed ~650,000 guns.
- After the reforms, mass shootings dropped to zero and firearm homicides and suicides declined sharply.
Patchwork Laws Leave Big Gaps
- States and territories never fully implemented the original national agreement, leaving patchwork laws with gaps like no national firearms registry.
- That inconsistency means Australia's safety depends on its weakest jurisdiction.