Sydney’s suburbs have a ‘frightening concentration’ of gun ownership, data shows

New data indicates a significant concentration of firearms in Sydney's suburban areas. Analysis of the NSW firearms registry reveals that the top 100 license holders in the state collectively own over 13,000 weapons, many located within metropolitan Sydney.

The concentration of gun ownership has become a focus following a recent terrorist attack that claimed 15 lives. In response, NSW Premier Chris Minns has committed to reviewing the state's existing firearm regulations.

Police confirmed that one of the alleged perpetrators in the Bondi Beach attack possessed a license and owned six firearms. Records show that several license holders in NSW possess nearly 300 weapons each, with six of the top ten gun owners residing in Sydney suburbs, despite not being collectors or dealers.

NSW firearms registry data indicates that approximately one-third of the state's one million firearms are located in major cities. A breakdown of the figures shows that the local government areas of Penrith, Hawkesbury, Canterbury-Bankstown, and Blacktown have the highest number of registered firearms in Sydney. These areas are also among the most densely populated in the state.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the national cabinet has resolved that decisive action is needed on gun law reform, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement established after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Potential changes include limiting the number of firearms an individual can own, restricting licenses to Australian citizens, and limiting open-ended licensing terms.

Premier Minns has indicated his intention to make it more difficult for individuals not involved in primary industries to access guns, which is expected to face opposition. When asked about potential changes to NSW's gun registry laws, Minns stated, "The short answer is yes."

Minns elaborated that a bill would be introduced to Parliament to make it more difficult to acquire weapons that have no practical use in the community. He questioned why individuals who are not farmers or involved in agriculture would need these weapons, arguing that they endanger the public and create challenges for NSW police. While Minns did not specify the changes, he affirmed his intention to ensure any reform has a significant impact and that action is expected soon.

The alleged Bondi attackers have been identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram. Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police, while Naveed Akram, 24, was hospitalized under police guard. Sajid Akram held a "category A/B" license, permitting him to possess long arms similar to those used in the attack. Explosive devices were also found at the scene.

It was revealed that Naveed Akram had been investigated by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019 due to his associations with others. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. ASIO determined that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or potential for violence. It remains unclear whether this information would have affected Sajid Akram's gun license or if the NSW firearms registry was aware of Naveed's prior ASIO investigation.

Greens NSW justice spokesperson Sue Higginson described the high concentration of guns in Sydney's outer suburbs as "frightening" and in need of addressing. Higginson stated that it was incomprehensible that someone investigated by ASIO for association with terrorism could have a father who was able to obtain a gun license and register six firearms. She argued that the system is not working and requires fixing.

The Greens are advocating for a three-gun limit per license holder, prohibitions on high-powered hunting rifles, time-limited gun licenses, and the removal of recreational hunting as a valid reason for obtaining a firearm license.

Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana criticized the slow progress on the national firearm register promised after the Port Arthur massacre. He argued that if the association's previous suggestions had been followed, authorities might have been able to reassess the person of interest involved in the Bondi attack and potentially prevent the loss of life. Caruana also questioned whether a national database would have allowed police to better assess the risk posed by the father and son, given their access to licensed weapons. He suggested that real-time access to a national firearms database could enable ASIO to dynamically assess and change the risk level of individuals.

An investigation by Guardian Australia previously found cases where individuals successfully overturned decisions to deny licenses based on associations with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that the deceased 50-year-old perpetrator had held a gun license since 2015 without any prior incidents. Police located six weapons from the scene of the attack and during raids on properties in Campsie and Bonnyrigg. Lanyon confirmed that the older shooter held a recreational hunting license through gun club membership, which is a common pathway to obtaining a gun license in Australia.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Naveed Akram was a member of a hunting club, with images circulating of a membership card allegedly found in his wallet. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. his membership has not been confirmed. The hunting club has closed until January 15th, and requests for comment have gone unanswered.