Bondi Massacre Shakes Australia's Gun Confidence, Prompts New Reform Push

• The recent Bondi massacre, killing 15, has shattered Australia's long-held belief that its gun problem was solved after the 1996 Port Arthur reforms.
• The attack exposed a rise in licensed firearms, unimplemented reforms, and loosened oversight, prompting a national reckoning with gun laws.
• Federal and state leaders swiftly pledged to tighten gun laws, considering caps on ownership, further restrictions on gun types, and Australian citizenship as a requirement.
• Suspect Sajid Akram, 50, obtained a firearms license in 2023; his son Naveed Akram was previously investigated for terrorism links.
• The political response emphasizes prevention and restriction, echoing the 1996 Port Arthur reforms, with limited dissent against stricter measures.

Why It Matters: Bondi massacre forces Australia to re-evaluate and tighten its gun laws, echoing the 1996 Port Arthur response.