By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
The government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia predictably adopted stricter gun control laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, in a vote which occurred in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, with new limits on the number of guns a person can own
As reported by The Guardian, the new restrictions include a ban on “firearms that allow multiple shots without reloading.” Gun licenses must be renewed every two years, and gun owners can now only own four firearms, although farmers and professional shooters “will be restricted to 10 weapons,” the newspaper said.
Aljazeera noted there are more restrictions in addition to the tighter gun laws. Under legislation titled Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, police now have the authority to “restrict public protests” for a period of up to three months. Australia does not have a First or Second Amendment, like the U.S.
Published reports said the new restrictions were opposed by the NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party and NSW Nationals.
Mark Banasiak, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) speaking for shooters argued, “Licensed firearm owners did not radicalize the [alleged] offenders,” The Guardian noted.
He also stated accused the government of pointing the finger “at 260,000 law-abiding firearm owners” in the aftermath of the Bondi attack, essentially making honest gun owners the scapegoat for the government not taking proactive action against the alleged terrorists.
According to Reuters, NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters, “Sydney and New South Wales has changed forever as a result of that terrorist activity.”
He reportedly said NWS residents should support the restrictions, as the government was taking steps to “keep people safe.” The NSW vote may serve as a guide for the national government, which almost immediately following the attack at Bondi Beach began talking gun restrictions.
