Australia's Gun Landscape: Rising Ownership and Changing Dynamics

Brisbane, Aug 27 (The Conversation) Australians were recently jolted by the tragic news that two police officers were killed in rural Victoria by a 56-year-old suspect who reportedly shot them before fleeing into the bush. This incident has reignited conversations around Australia's gun laws and firearm ownership.

It may come as a surprise to many that there are currently more guns in Australia than before the significant reform following the infamous Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

The Port Arthur event led to major changes in gun legislation, significantly restricting gun ownership. However, seemingly counter-intuitively, the number of guns has increased despite ongoing legislative tightening meant to curb ownership.

What do the statistics say? While comprehensive pre-1996 statistics are not readily available, fragmented data indicates there were about three million firearms prior to Port Arthur. Currently, that number exceeds four million, based on estimates from state and territory data.

It's not just the quantity of firearms that's risen; more Australians are also licensed to own them. In New South Wales, licenses grew from 180,663 in 2001 to nearly 260,000 by 2025. Queensland saw licenses increase from approximately 150,000 in 2010 to more than 200,000 today.

Despite gun ownership being more common in rural areas, statistics suggest most gun owners reside in urban locales, mirroring the general distribution of the Australian population.

Does this mean firearm crime is on the rise? Not necessarily. Despite the rise in legal gun ownership over the decades, gun-related misuse has been on the decline. Firearm homicides have been decreasing since the early 1980s and continued post-1996, remaining low. Firearm-related suicides and armed robbery incidents also show a downward trend.

Who owns guns and why? In Australia, guns can legally be owned for “genuine reasons” such as primary production, target shooting, hunting, and collecting. Several studies and anecdotal accounts suggest a growing interest among women and youth in this traditionally male-dominated activity.

The increase in guns aligns with Australia's growing population, now over 27 million from 18 million in 1996. Although statistics unveil part of the picture, nuanced motivations are less visible. Some owners hail from cultures where gun ownership was restricted, while others keep hunting traditions alive for future generations.

Australian research on gun ownership motivations is limited, and U.S. studies, influenced by different firearm perceptions, may not be applicable. Yet, research from New Zealand showcases reasons such as skill development, conservation activities, historical interest, and competitive enjoyment.

Economic and social factors also impact gun ownership. The COVID-19 pandemic, with supply chain disruptions leading to empty supermarket shelves, spurred interest in hunting for self-sufficiency.

The law of unintended consequences? Australia's approach to “de-normalising” firearm ownership might inadvertently have contributed to its rise. Post-1996 sentiments from figures like then-Prime Minister John Howard, who openly expressed dislike for guns, may have ironically bolstered ownership growth over the decades. (The Conversation) GSP

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