Australians are still reeling from the shock of Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach. As a country, we have long been proud of our strong gun laws and low rates of gun violence. But many of us are now rightly asking, “How did this happen?”
On this page, we examine the recent history of our firearm legislation, identify the gaps and missed opportunities in firearm regulations that created the conditions for such a horrific crime to occur, and ask what we can do now to ensure it never happens again.
On Sunday 14 December, a horrific act of violence took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Two gunmen opened fire at a Chanukah celebration, firing at the crowd until they were subdued by police.
In under an hour, 15 people were killed and many more were injured. This makes it the deadliest mass shooting to occur in Australia since the Port Arthur tragedy – which happened in 1996.
The Port Arthur tragedy claimed 35 lives, including Alannah and Madeline Mikac and their mother, Nanette, in another a senseless act of violence.
Violence and hate have no place in our society. Everyone has the right to feel safe.
The investigation is ongoing, and it will be some time before we have all the details. But based on what we know now, some things are clear.
The gunmen targeted a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach, and police believe this was an antisemitic attack – a deliberate, targeted attack on Jewish people.
We stand in grief, love and solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community and with all Australians in the wake of this unspeakable act.
We honour and acknowledge the immense courage of the NSW Police, Paramedics, and many bystanders who helped keep people safe despite extreme risk to their own safety.
We also honour the professionalism and expert care of the medical teams at hospitals across Sydney caring for the injured.
NSW Police say they found six guns at the scene. The two men used at least a shotgun and two precision rifles in the attack.
The guns were not automatic or semi-automatic weapons, which are largely banned except for certain professions such as military or police. Nonetheless, they were powerful weapons capable of firing many rounds and inflicting heavy injuries and causalities in just minutes.
It appears that one of the alleged gunmen had a “recreational” gun licence and had six guns licensed in his name. In NSW, as in most other states and territories, there is no cap on the number of firearms a person can own with this kind of licence.
Following the Port Arthur tragedy, in which our Founding Patron, Walter Mikac, lost his wife and two young daughters, all Australian governments came together to create the world-leading National Firearms Agreement (NFA).
The NFA banned the sale of automatic and semi-automatic guns, and the Government ran a national buyback of firearms.
The reforms were widely and enthusiastically supported by the Australian public and have been highly effective at reducing gun-related deaths in the years since.
For years, Australia led the world in gun safety.
But over the last three decades, these laws have been whittled away by special interests and the might of the firearms industry.
And the sad reality is that no state or territory in Australia is compliant with the NFA, despite all governments reconfirming their commitment to it in 2017.
In a report published earlier this year, researchers found that there were 25% more guns in Australia in 2025 than there were at the time of the Port Arthur tragedy. The same report found that 41 per cent of licensees in NSW live not in rural or regional areas, but in major cities.
This is despite 3 in 4 Australians supporting limits on the number of guns an individual can possess.
And there are issues with lack of transparency in how gun laws are made. Consultation on firearm policy and regulation is often left entirely to the firearm industry, without any requirement for consultation with a broader range of groups to balance their commercial interests. The views of the more than 95% of Australians who do not own firearms are therefore being seriously underrepresented.
The laws and framework established after the Port Arthur tragedy have saved countless lives, and demonstrate that strong, evidence-based gun laws work.
And as a result of these laws, thankfully Australia has a very low number of gun-related deaths each year.
However, nearly three decades on, Australia’s gun laws have not kept pace with changes in firearm technology, patterns of ownership, contemporary risk factors, and relentless pressure from the firearms industry.
Since the NFA was introduced, the proportion of licensed gun owners in the community has dropped significantly. From 1997 to 2024, the proportion halved from 6,500 per 100,000 people to 3,369 per 100,000 people in all states and territories excluding the ACT.
However, during that time, the number of guns owned by the average licence holder has increased. This means there are more guns in the hands of fewer people, and many of them are concentrated in urban centres.
The community rightly expects our gun laws to place tight restrictions on gun ownership and use – and for there to be fewer, not more, guns in our community.
The weapons used by the alleged shooters in the Bondi attack were legally licensed guns.
We know that most legal gun owners in Australia are law-abiding citizens, and that some very high-powered weapons, while legal in some circumstances, present an even greater risk to community safety. We need tighter controls to prevent illegal, high-powered weapons reaching our shores.
Another alarming development in recent years has been the rise of privately made firearms (PMFs), facilitated by the emergence of accessible 3D printing. This has been a growing area of concern for law enforcement, and one where we have strongly advocated for rigorous laws to keep pace with technological changes.
This tragic event is a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance in upholding our gun laws.
Our gun laws are founded on the principle that firearm ownership in Australia is a privilege, not a right, and of gun ownership and use being conditional on public safety.
However, there is more that needs to be done to close the gaps in our current laws to help prevent further tragedies.
We have drafted an action plan with the key actions that we believe will reduce the risk of gun violence, which we have shared with our political leaders including the Prime Minister and NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
The Premier has recalled NSW Parliament in response to the Bondi terror attacks and is expected to vote on tightened laws as early as next week.
Across the country, state and federal leaders have expressed a willingness to put our gun laws under the microscope and do whatever it takes to ensure a tragedy like this does not happen again.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation has been in contact with our political leaders, and we look forward to working with them to bring these important reforms into law.
It’s normal to feel distressed and powerless in the face of such devastating events, but it's important to know there is a lot you can do right now to look after yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
It’s normal to feel distressed and powerless in the face of such devastating events, but it's important to know there is a lot you can do right now to look after yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Older children especially may want to know what has happened. In these instances, it will be about ensuring that what they are consuming is age appropriate.
You can explore this detailed guide on talking to children about violence and conflict in the world.
It’s important not to feed into the storm of misinformation and fear that has emerged since the attack. At times of such intense emotion, false claims and unconfirmed rumours spread quickly, and scapegoating of individuals and groups can lead to devastating consequences.
Before sharing or repeating any information, pause and think about the source of the information, what impact it could have and whether it could be untrue.
There are many violent and graphic videos and images of the attack being circulated online. Removing this content is important for the dignity of victims and survivors, and to avoid unnecessarily exposing others online to violent imagery.
You can report offensive or violent content via the eSafety Commissions online form.
Check in with people around you, especially Jewish people, to see how they are coping. Even a small gesture of connection can make a difference. A simple message, phone call or face-to-face conversation can mean a lot during challenging times.
Connecting with your community not only helps others feel seen and supported, but it can also benefit you by fostering a sense of shared understanding, empathy and resilience.
You may want to consider giving blood in the coming weeks – especially if you have O+ or O-, which are often in high demand during emergencies.
Blood supplies can drop quickly, and just one blood donation can help save three lives. Visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95 for more information.
The NSW Government has created a Condolence Book to enable the community to send messages of love, support and solidarity for the victims, survivors, families and communities impacted by this terrible tragedy.
Sign the Book now.
We will be working closely with government on this issue in the coming weeks and months. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest developments.
In the wake of a tragic event, feeling anxious, sad, or scared are all completely normal reactions. Whether you or the child in your life is struggling to deal with the aftermath of this tragedy, there are many organisations you can reach out to for support:
Earlier this week, Australia was shaken by an act of terror and mass violence when two gunmen opened fire on a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney. We stand in grief, love and solidarity with Australia's Jewish community and with all Australians in the wake of this unspeakable act.
During moments of uncertainty, which can be daunting and complex, children look up to the adults in their lives for information, guidance, courage and support. It’s important for parents and caregivers to provide support and comfort to children and young people.
Earlier this week, Australia was shaken by an act of terror and mass violence when two gunmen opened fire on a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney. For the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s founding patron, Walter Mikac, and many other Australians, this tragedy reopens deep and painful wounds of the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996.
