Firearm licence applications in the ACT have increased significantly following the Bondi attack, reflecting a broader national response to proposed changes to firearm laws.
According to ACT Police, there has been a 57 per cent increase in monthly applications for firearm licences since December 2025. Authorities have indicated the rise is largely being driven by existing firearm owners encouraging family members or partners to obtain licences, rather than an increase in the number of firearms themselves.
Police have also noted that while licence applications have increased, applications to acquire new firearms have not risen at the same rate, suggesting that firearms already in circulation are being distributed across a larger number of licence holders.
Proposed changes in the ACT include limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, tighter licensing and storage requirements, and increased scrutiny of firearm ownership. Similar discussions are taking place at a national level, with governments working toward updated regulations and potential ownership caps.
There are also concerns that an increase in licence numbers could place additional pressure on regulatory systems and create further compliance and oversight challenges.