The new bill aims to strengthen gun laws in the ACT. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Gun ownership caps, firearm recategorisation and a new criminal offence have been proposed in the Territory in response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in which 15 people were killed.
The ACT Government will this week introduce the Firearms (Public Safety) Amendment Bill 2026, which will make several changes to current legislation.
Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said the reforms were the ACT’s response to the national safety threats identified following the Bondi terrorist attack.
“Canberrans expect firearms laws that put community safety first,” she said. ”These new laws address identified risks in uncapped firearm ownership, and reclassify firearms to ensure modern, nationally consistent laws.”
The bill sets a limit of five firearms for licence holders, with exemptions allowing up to 10 firearms for genuine occupational or sporting purposes.
The proposed reforms also tighten the types of firearms allowed in the ACT by recategorising several kinds, including introducing limits on magazine capacity and rapid-fire weapons.
It also would create a new offence in an effort to tackle the rise of illegal weapons that have been manufactured using 3D-printing technology.
“The new laws will also respond to gaps in legislation around the production of 3D-printed weapons by making it a criminal offence to possess the blueprints to produce these illegal firearms,” Dr Paterson said.
“Community safety is a key priority for the ACT Government, and we will progress multiple tranches of firearms legislation throughout this year.”
The reforms align with National Cabinet’s decision to strengthen firearm laws. The ACT Government plans to introduce further amendments to continue this work in the coming months.
More to come.
