The ACT Government will introduce tougher gun laws to strengthen community safety, including capping the number of firearms an individual can own, tightening controls around firearms classifications, and criminalising 3D-printed firearm blueprints.
The changes have been prioritised following the devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
The Firearms (Public Safety) Amendment Bill 2026, to be introduced in the Assembly this week, will improve firearm legislation in the ACT by:
- Restricting the number of firearms individuals can own
- Recategorising the types of firearms that can be possessed and used
- Criminalising the possession of blueprints that can be used to create 3D-printed firearms
The Bill sets a limit of five firearms for licence holders, with clear exemptions allowing up to 10 firearms for genuine occupational or sporting purposes.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, said the reforms are the ACT's response to the national safety threats identified following the Bondi terrorist attack.
"Canberrans expect firearms laws that put community safety first. These new laws address identified risks in uncapped firearm ownership, and reclassify firearms to ensure modern, nationally consistent laws," Minister Paterson said.
The reforms also tighten the types of firearms allowed in the ACT by recategorising several firearm types, including introducing limits on magazine capacity and rapid-fire weapons.
The Bill also tackles the rise of illegal weapons manufactured using 3D printing technology by creating a new offence for possessing a digital blueprint used to produce firearms or firearm parts.
"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," Minister 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, and the ACT Government will be looking to introduce further improvements to this end in the coming months.
