Why gun debate has triggered a surprising and fiery political battle in NSW

August 19, 2026 — 7:30pm

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For most of my life, Australia’s gun laws have been about as close to a settled issue as you could get. Strict gun control laws introduced by John Howard after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre are regularly cited as world-leading gun reforms, and an example of a government which took a principled stance in the face of orchestrated opposition for the public good.

The Australian public, largely, looks at the regular shootings which take place in the US with a sense not just of horror, but bemusement – if only they could follow our lead, goes the thinking. Polling immediately after the Bondi massacre showed massive public support for stronger gun controls.

But the backlash to the gun buyback announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns this week has given a sense that some of that backing may have been eroded in the months since Bondi. It raises an interesting question about whether the Howard-era consensus is being eroded in the post-context, algorithmic age of social media.

The buyback, announced in the context of the Bondi massacre, followed a suite of other gun control measures passed by the Minns government, including a limit on firearms to four for individuals and 10 for primary producers and sporting shooters.

Gun buyback deal launched

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© The Sydney Morning Herald