
Full Story A moment of reckoning for Australia's gun laws
Dec 16, 2025
Ariel Bogle, an investigations reporter focused on firearm ownership in Australia, joins political editor Tom McIlroy to discuss the urgent need for gun law reform following the Bondi Beach attack. They reveal alarming statistics about rising gun ownership and highlight regulatory gaps that compromise safety. The duo delves into proposed governmental solutions and assesses the political landscape, including bipartisan support and resistance from the gun lobby. They also touch on the critical intersection of addressing antisemitism and ensuring community security in the wake of violence.
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Hidden Growth In Legal Firearm Ownership
- Australia now has over 4 million firearms, nearly double post-1996 levels and rising per capita.
- Ariel Bogle found legal ownership concentrated in individuals owning dozens to hundreds of guns in some Sydney suburbs.
Loopholes Undermining Post‑Port Arthur Rules
- Post‑Port Arthur rules require a genuine reason to own firearms, but loopholes exist in enforcement.
- Ariel Bogle says permissions like 'permission to shoot' letters were poorly scrutinised and enabled accumulation.
Outdated Registries Weaken Oversight
- Licensing systems lack ongoing scrutiny and up‑to‑date registries, hampering police oversight.
- Ariel Bogle highlights fragmented, sometimes paper-based registries that prevent real‑time intelligence.

