Sydney, December 21, 2025 — A decades-long push for a national firearms register in Australia is back in the spotlight, fueled by questions about whether a more comprehensive database could have prevented the recent Bondi Junction shopping mall attack. The December 16th tragedy, which left six people dead and several injured, has reignited debate over gun control and information sharing between security agencies and licensing authorities.
The stalled rollout of a national gun registry—promised after a 1996 massacre—is now under renewed scrutiny as officials examine the circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack.
- A national firearms register was first proposed after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but remains unfinished nearly 30 years later.
- The accused Bondi attacker, Naveed Akram, held a firearms license and legally owned six guns.
- Concerns have been raised about whether the New South Wales firearms registry was aware of Akram’s prior association with individuals monitored by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
- The rollout of the national register has faced delays and resource challenges, with some state registries still relying on paper-based systems.
Australia’s approach to gun control is often held up as a success story, particularly in contrast to the United States. But the events at Bondi Beach are forcing a hard look at gaps in the system. Alex Caruana, president of the Australian Federal Police Association, told reporters this week that a robust national database would have allowed New South Wales police to better assess the risk posed by Akram before the attack.
A Register Decades in the Making
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The idea for a national firearms register dates back to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where a gunman killed 35 people. Following the tragedy, the Australian government enacted the National Firearms Agreement, introducing mandatory licensing, secure storage rules, and restrictions on certain types of firearms. A buyback scheme removed over 600,000 guns from circulation.
However, a centralized database to track firearms across the country proved elusive. A plan for the register was finally agreed upon by states and territories in 2023, spurred by a 2022 shooting in Wieambilla, Queensland, where two police officers and a neighbor were killed. A national cabinet document released under freedom of information laws stated that, “Until the NFR is delivered, existing risks to police officers and community members will remain due to information gaps, delaying in locating firearms, sharing information on risks posed by owners and diversion of firearms to the illicit market.”
The register, intended to provide a real-time “life-cycle view” of registered firearms and licenses, is now slated to be operational by mid-2028. But a recent investigation revealed that the rollout has missed key milestones. Poor resourcing and outdated record-keeping in some states—the Australian Capital Territory, for example, still uses a paper-based system—are contributing to the delays.
Intelligence Sharing and Appeal Rights
The Bondi attack has also raised questions about information sharing between intelligence agencies and police. Sajid Akram, the gunman, held a firearms license and owned six guns, which he and his son Naveed allegedly used in the attack. Akram was shot dead by police. Naveed Akram, now charged with 59 offenses including 15 counts of murder, came to the attention of ASIO in October 2019 due to associations with others. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the assessment at the time found “no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.”
It remains unclear whether the NSW firearms registry was aware of this prior association. Caruana argued that a national database accessible to ASIO in real-time could have allowed for a more dynamic risk assessment. He also called for tracking of ammunition sales.
NSW Premier Chris Minns proposed on Wednesday removing the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) as an appeal mechanism for gun license decisions. “New South Wales police routinely yank licences from gun holders…those appeals are heard in NCAT, and often police’s objections are overturned,” he said. “We’ll extinguish that appeal pathway.”
A law enforcement source, speaking anonymously, emphasized the need for legislation allowing licensing decisions to be based on non-disclosable intelligence, arguing that the Bondi incident should be a “catalyst” for change. The source explained that current laws make it difficult to use ASIO intelligence when denying a license due to concerns about protecting the confidentiality of that information during potential appeals.
On Friday, Albanese announced a national gun buyback scheme, the largest since 1996, and stated that the government would accelerate efforts to finalize the national firearms register. NSW will aim to have “the toughest gun laws in the country,” Minns said.
Q&A
How did Australia change its gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre?
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After the 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur that killed 35 people, the Australian government enacted the national firearms agreement.
The deal between the federal and state governments aimed to make gun laws broadly uniform across states and territories. It introduced mandatory licensing, rules for secure storage and use, and restrictions on semiautomatic rifles and pump action shotguns.
There was a buyback scheme for guns that were now classed as illegal. Australians could voluntarily give up weapons in exchange for financial compensation – leading to the surrender of more than 600,000 firearms.
Owners would also need a “genuine reason” for having guns, such as hunting or sports shooting, and personal protection was not a valid reason. The agreement specifically states that firearm possession is a privilege, not a right.
This sets Australia apart from other countries, most notably the United States, where a right to bear arms is included in its constitution. US Congress and state legislatures have passed some gun control measures, including mandated background checks but, unlike Australia, most states have not banned assault weapons.
Gun ownership in the UK is also considered a privilege, not a right, and new laws have similarly responded to mass shootings, including the 1987 Hungerford massacre. Certain semiautomatic rifles were banned and police must consider reasons for ownership before issuing a licence.
The effectiveness of Australia’s gun control measures remain a matter of debate, and some elements are yet to be fully enacted almost 30 years later, including the nationwide firearms register.
What do you think? Should Australia further tighten its gun laws? Share your thoughts in the comments below.