Australian Capital Territory Proposes 5-Gun Limit Per Owner

The ACT is one of several states moving to tighten gun control following the Bondi massacre.

Firearms on display at the Australian Federal Police's Sydney Airport Office in Mascot, Sydney, Australia on Oct. 6, 2017. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Gun laws in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are set to be tightened following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

The Firearms (Public Safety) Amendment Bill 2026 will cap firearm ownership to five guns with exemptions allowing up to 10 firearms for sporting or occupational reasons.

The new legislation is set to be brought to the ACT Legislative Assembly this week.

The change to the laws follow a decision by national cabinet to respond to the Dec. 14 mass shooting that killed 15 lives and injured 40 others.

National cabinet had agreed to update firearm law in relation to 3D printing, tighten background checks further, and limit the number of guns available.

ACT Police Minister Marisa Paterson said the changes to gun laws were due to “national safety threats  identified following the Bondi terrorist attack.”

“Community safety is a key priority for the ACT Government and we will progress multiple tranches of firearms legislation throughout this year,” she said in a statement.

“These new laws address identified risks in uncapped firearm ownership, and reclassify firearms to ensure modern, nationally consistent laws.”

The updated legislation will make it a criminal offence to own blueprints to make 3D printed firearms citing a rise in their use.

In addition, the new bill will also reclassify multiple firearm types and new limits will be placed on magazine capacity and rapid-fire weapons.

Opposition Leader Considering Position

Liberal Opposition Leader Mark Parton put out a call for opinions on the legislation changes.

“Has the government arrived at the right conclusion? The ACT government is proposing new laws that limit the number of guns a licence holder can own to five, with exemptions allowing up to 10 for occupational and sporting purposes” he asked on social media on Feb. 2.

Shooters Association of Australia ACT President Shane Stroud vowed to have a say in the bill’s creation.

“We are building momentum and are being heard. We are meeting with all the right people and are getting our points across. We are winning concessions and making a positive contribution ...” he posted to Facebook.

What’s Happening Around the Country?

The federal parliament has passed the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 in January, which sets up a national gun buyback scheme and more stringent background checks.

Bondi shooter Sajid Akram, who died at the scene of the terrorist attack, allegedly owned six registered guns despite his son, Naveed, being interviewed by authorities over radicalisation concerns—he was cleared at the time.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns called state parliament back early to pass the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which caps firearm ownership to four per person, except for farmers who can own up to 10.

Straight-pull/pump action and button/lever release firearms will also be limited to primary producers.

Gun club membership is now mandatory for all firearm licence holders in the state. Further, a decision to deny a license can no longer be appealed at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Meanwhile South Australia possessing digital blueprints for 3D printed firearms is now illegal as of Jan. 31, while the Victorian government commissioned a review of gun laws in January. An online survey and submissions to the review close on Feb. 3.