UPDATE: The recent shooting of two police officers in rural Victoria has ignited urgent calls for a reassessment of gun laws in Australia. Advocates are raising alarms over public complacency towards a “very aggressive” gun lobby, emphasizing that the safety of the majority is at risk.
In a statement made earlier today, Tim Quinn, president of Gun Control Australia, expressed concern that Australians, while proud of their gun laws, are becoming complacent. “97 percent of Australians don’t own or use firearms, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the erosion of our gun control laws,” he warned. The rise in legal firearms in circulation—now exceeding 4 million—has been attributed to changes in legislation since the tragic Port Arthur massacre in 1996, where a gunman killed 35 people.
Quinn highlighted that the influence of the gun lobby poses a significant threat to public safety. “We need to ensure that those in power are protecting the vast majority of Australians and not capitulating to the gun lobby,” he stated. His comments follow alarming trends that show an increase in gun ownership alongside potential risks of theft and misuse.
Moreover, Stephen Bendle, convenor of the Australian Gun Safety Alliance, stressed the organized and well-funded nature of the gun lobby, noting, “We now have a very aggressive gun lobby that is seeking to make more guns available for more people.”
Research from the Australian Institute, co-authored by Alice Grundy, reveals surprising patterns in firearm ownership, showing that most firearms are registered in urban areas. “It’s astonishing to find someone in metropolitan Sydney with over 380 licensed firearms,” she remarked. Such concentrations raise serious concerns about safety and security.
Despite the uptick in gun licenses, experts point out that firearm-related homicides have been declining since the early 1980s. Samara McPhedran from Griffith University noted that firearm violence remains low, indicating a disconnect between gun ownership rates and public safety. “This suggests there is little relationship between levels of legal gun ownership in Australia and levels of firearm violence,” she added.
Currently, gun ownership regulations vary across states, with New South Wales being the only state that mandates testing for the legitimacy of reasons cited for owning firearms. Other states, like Western Australia, limit the number of guns an individual can purchase to 10 at a time, although loopholes exist.
Calls for a national gun registry have been ongoing since the reforms following the Port Arthur tragedy, but implementation remains stalled. “The timeline for a national registry was set for 2028, but with recent developments, it’s uncertain if we can wait that long,” Grundy cautioned.
As discussions heat up, the community is urged to stay informed and engaged with developments in gun legislation. The ongoing dialogue surrounding gun control is not just about policy—it’s about ensuring the safety of every Australian.
For the latest updates on this developing story, stay tuned and share your thoughts with us.
