NSW Premier Promises Tough Gun Law Review After Sydney Terror Attack
December 15, 2025
Sydney's suburbs hold over 13,000 guns among NSW's top 100 licence-holders, many in city areas. Following Sunday’s terrorist attack that killed 15, including a 10-year-old girl, NSW Premier Chris Minns promised to review firearm laws. Police confirmed one attacker, killed during the Bondi Beach attack, had six licensed guns. Some licence holders own nearly 300 weapons each, and six of the top 10 owners live in Sydney suburbs like Penrith and Blacktown. About one-third of NSW’s 1 million firearms are in major cities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the national cabinet agreed on urgent gun law reforms. Proposed changes include limiting guns per person, requiring Australian citizenship for licenses, and restricting open-ended licences. Minns said, “It means introducing a bill to parliament to – to be really blunt – making it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community.” He added, “If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons?”
The shooters identified were father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram. Sajid, 50, owned a 'category A/B' licence for long arms and was killed by police. Naveed, 24, is in hospital under guard. Explosives were also found at the scene. Naveed was previously known to ASIO but was not considered a current threat.
Greens NSW justice spokesperson Sue Higginson criticized the system, noting “a frightening concentration of guns in the outer suburbs” and questioned how the father could hold six guns despite the son's known associations.
The Australian Federal Police Association called for a national gun register and ammunition tracking following the attack, highlighting failures to stop the tragedy.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid Akram held a gun licence since 2015 with no issues and was a recreational hunter and gun club member. The son's club membership is unconfirmed. The gun club announced a temporary closure following the attack.
This incident may push significant changes in NSW’s firearm laws soon, aiming to tighten controls and improve public safety.
Read More at Theguardian →
Tags:
Sydney Firearms
Nsw Gun Laws
Terror attack
Chris Minns
Gun Control
Bondi Shooter
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