The Global Story Why Australia’s gun laws aren’t as strong as you might think
6 snips
Dec 18, 2025 
Ariel Bogle, an investigations reporter at Guardian Australia, dives deep into Australia's complicated gun laws following recent tragic events like the Bondi Beach attack. She explores the rising number of firearms despite previously strong regulations established after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Discussions include how suburban arsenals are growing, the legacies of past reforms, and potential government responses. Bogle highlights the unique cultural differences between Australia and the US regarding guns, making the situation even more complex.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ownership Is A Privilege, Not A Right
- Australia treats gun ownership as a privilege subject to strict public interest tests, not a constitutional right.
- The system requires a 'genuine reason' to own firearms and excludes self-protection as a valid reason.
Port Arthur Spurred Rapid National Reform
- The 1996 Port Arthur massacre shocked Australia and prompted nationwide reform within weeks.
- John Howard pushed through bans and a massive buyback that made semi-automatics largely illegal.
Registered Guns Have Grown Substantially
- Gun numbers in Australia have risen to over 4 million, nearly double early-2000s figures.
- Growth reflects more guns per licence-holder, not more licence-holders per capita, with some owners holding hundreds of firearms.