The discovery of a private arsenal containing nearly 400 firearms in a Sydney suburb has ignited a fierce debate over gun control in Australia, with advocates demanding reforms akin to the United Kingdom's stringent regulations.
Metropolitan Sydney's Hidden Arsenals
New data compiled by New South Wales Greens Senator David Shoebridge has exposed the scale of private firearm ownership in the state. A resident of Cremorne on Sydney's Lower North Shore possesses 386 guns, marking the largest personal arsenal in NSW. A second individual in Chifley, in the city's eastern suburbs, owns 300 firearms.
The figures, which exclude licensed collectors and dealers, reveal that over 2,000 firearms are linked to individuals across metropolitan Sydney. Suburbs including Punchbowl, Terrey Hills, and Elanora Heights are each home to owners with collections of around 200 guns.
"It's bloody extraordinary that there are these large private arsenals hidden away in our towns and suburbs," Senator Shoebridge told news.com.au, questioning the necessity for such stockpiles.
Calls for Stricter Regulations Post-Bondi
The revelations arrive in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Junction attack, where the gunman, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, legally possessed the six firearms used. Akram held a recreational hunting licence and was a gun club member. His son and alleged accomplice, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, had previously been investigated by Australian intelligence.
Under his Category AB licence, Sajid Akram was entitled to an unlimited number of rifles and shotguns—a loophole that gun control advocates are now urgently seeking to close.
Tim Quinn from Gun Control Australia highlighted the systemic flaw, stating there are "no restrictions on the number of guns these people can own" as they can repeatedly cite the same "genuine reason." He argued for a direct link between occupation and firearm need, criticising the notion that an "occasional hunter" would require multiple weapons.
National Push for Tighter Firearm Laws
In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged the most significant overhaul of firearm laws since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Federal, state, and territory leaders are considering a suite of measures designed to tighten control.
The proposed reforms include:
- New limits on the number of firearms a single person can own.
- More frequent reviews of firearm licences.
- Tighter restrictions on gun modifications.
- Barring non-citizens from holding firearm permits.
- A crackdown on imports of 3D-printed weapons.
Furthermore, ministers have agreed to fast-track a national gun register, intended to be operational by mid-2028. This system would allow police forces across different jurisdictions to share information and track firearms more effectively.
This push for reform underscores a pivotal moment for Australian gun policy, drawing direct parallels to the UK's historically strict approach in a bid to prevent future tragedies.
