A national firearms register, a key recommendation after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, could have helped police assess the risk posed by the alleged Bondi attackers, according to police and gun control advocates. The register, designed to track firearms across the country in real time, has faced significant delays, with a Guardian Australia investigation revealing missed milestones.
Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said a robust national database would have enabled New South Wales police to better evaluate the threat from the accused Bondi gunmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram. Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police, held a firearm licence and owned six guns, used in the attack on Jewish families at Bondi beach. His son Naveed has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.
It emerged that Naveed had been assessed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019 but no ongoing threat was identified. Caruana argued that a national register accessible to ASIO could have allowed a dynamic threat assessment. He also criticised the slow progress on the register, which should also track ammunition sales.
The plan for a national firearms register was finally approved by states and territories in 2023, following the Wieambilla shootings in which two police officers and a neighbour were killed. However, the rollout has been hampered by poor resourcing and record-keeping, with some state registries, such as the ACT and Queensland, still relying on paper systems.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said work would be accelerated, with over £100 million provided to states to digitise their systems. After a national cabinet meeting, potential changes include limiting firearms per individual and issuing licences only to citizens. A national gun buyback scheme, the largest since 1996, was also announced.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has proposed removing the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal as an appeal mechanism for gun licence decisions, part of wider state reforms. The national register is expected to be operational by mid-2028, but experts warn that gaps remain, leaving police and the community at risk.
