We know that in Australia, gun owners can often bear the brunt of politicians, the media and an unaware public looking to blame lawful gun owners when something goes wrong.

We also know that as gun owners, we are just as upset as everyone else when something awful happens in society involving a firearm but what many forget, is that we support the bad eggs not having access to firearms because when something happens, we get the blame - and nowhere else in society does an entire group get blamed for the actions and a criminal minority.

Here are some key issues currently facing lawful gun owners in Australia — based on ongoing public debates, proposed legislation, and community concerns:

Proposed Tighter Gun Laws

In response to recent mass violence, federal and state governments are considering or advancing tighter firearms laws, including limits on the number and types of firearms individuals can own, expanded criteria for license's, and possible restrictions tied to citizenship status. These reforms are seen by many lawful owners as potentially penalising responsible users rather than targeting criminal misuse.

Risk of Collective Blame

Some representative groups argue that lawful firearm owners are being unfairly blamed for isolated violent acts by extremists, leading to punitive policy proposals and public rhetoric that lumps all gun owners together. Formal complaints have even been lodged with human rights bodies alleging disproportionate impacts.

License and Regulatory Complexity

State-by-state differences and changing regulations (such as limits on firearm numbers, storage requirements, and “fit and proper person” assessments) are creating confusion and compliance challenges for owners trying to navigate evolving legal frameworks. Communication issues around these changes have also been reported.

Police and Government Data Security Concerns

There have been reports of administrative and technical issues — such as firearm-owner data handling and potential exposure of personal storage information — which raise legitimate concerns about privacy and safety for legal owners.

Theft of Licensed Firearms

A persistent problem is the theft of legally-owned guns, which then feed into illegal markets. Tens of thousands of registered firearms have been stolen in recent decades, creating public safety risks and reputational issues for lawful owners who are often held responsible in public discourse.

Impact on Rural and Sporting Communities

Limits on the number of firearms, tighter category restrictions, and evolving regulatory interpretations could affect farmers, sport shooters, and regional users whose livelihoods, traditions or club activities involve multiple firearms. Some community members feel reforms are not tailored to their needs.

Public Perception and Media Narrative

High-profile incidents have intensified media and public scrutiny of firearms ownership. While lawful owners stress that most firearm crime is committed with illegal or unlicensed weapons, public perception sometimes doesn’t distinguish clearly between legal and illegal use.

The current policy mood follows a significant mass shooting that has reignited nationwide calls for reform and political debate about how Australia balances public safety with continuing to allow responsible firearm ownership under strict regulation.