In the wake of a tragic event at Bondi Beach, tensions have flared between Australians and some American commentators. The incident has reignited debates over gun control, with US residents suggesting that Australia’s strict firearm regulations contributed to the prolonged nature of the attack. This perspective has sparked backlash from Australians who refute the notion that carrying guns would have prevented the tragedy.

The discussion comes as Australia considers implementing even stricter gun laws, a move that has been met with criticism from supporters of the American gun rights movement. They point to Australia’s significant gun legislation reforms following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre as a factor in the recent shooting incident. Critics argue that these laws leave citizens unable to defend themselves effectively.

The attack, which occurred during the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event, resulted in the deaths of 15 innocent people and left 25 others hospitalized. The alleged perpetrators, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, are accused of orchestrating the shooting that has left the nation in mourning.

One American commentator took to social media, asserting that stricter gun laws only serve to diminish public safety. “Australia disarmed their citizens. These people had no way to protect themselves,” she expressed, echoing a sentiment that has fueled ongoing debate between the two countries regarding the balance between gun rights and public safety.

‘Australia disarmed their citizens. These people had no way to protect themselves,’ she said. 

‘None of the people who murder care about gun laws. If you don’t understand this you’re not smart.’ 

Popular right-wing podcast host Matt Walsh agreed, telling his 3.34million YouTube subscribers the shooting would have been over ‘very quickly’ if Aussies were armed.

‘There were a thousand people on the beach nearby. One of them, if anyone was allowed to own handguns, they would have shot these terrorists or at least forced them to retreat. And that’s not an academic or theoretical point,’ he said.

Right-wing podcaster Matt Walsh said Australia’s gun laws prevented the victims from ‘defending themselves in a meaningful way’

Australian academic Dr Jennifer Wilson slammed the pro-gun Americans as ‘insane and dumb’

‘It’s just simple logic: good guys with guns can stop bad guys with guns.’ 

It was later revealed Sajid was able to acquire the shotgun used in the deadly attack because he ‘met the eligibility criteria for a firearms licence’.

The shooter held a recreational hunting licence, was a member of a gun club and had six firearms licensed to him.

Texas-based political commentator, Gunther Eagleman, said the attack was proof the United States must never give up their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

‘The firearms used in the Bondi Beach attack were LEGALLY OWNED firearms,’ he said. ‘Australia has some of the most strict gun control laws in the world, and yet it did NOTHING to stop these two [men].’

Australian academic Dr Jennifer Wilson blasted the commentators on X as ‘insane and dumb American gun crazies’.

‘In Australia, we don’t react with “thoughts and prayers” when there’s a massacre,’ she said. 

‘First thing our Prime Minister does is signal a tightening of gun laws. So f*** off Americans, you’re still slaughtering your own children as they sit in school.

The 50-year-old gunman had six firearms licensed to him – police said they were confident they seized all six guns from the scene at Bondi (pictured, a firearm at Bondi Beach)

Naveed Akram, 24, is in hospital under police guard and is likely to face criminal charges

‘We don’t consider wearing guns to the supermarket a “right” – we consider it insanity. You people are deranged killers.’ 

A local also made reference to how quickly Australia responded after the last mass shooting at Port Arthur in March 1996.

‘Nearly THIRTY YEARS! It would take Australia 680 years to catch the amount of gun related homicides that the United States has had in the last year. Common sense gun laws work,’ he said.

There have been at least 391 mass shootings in the US so far this year, leaving at least 325 people dead and 1,775 injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA).

Nearly 5,500 mass shooting incidents have occurred in the US since 2014, which is when the GVA began collecting the data.

The non-profit organisation defines a mass shooting as one that injured or killed four or more people, not including the shooter.

Another American, who describes himself as a ‘conservative outdoorsman’, shared a bizarre solution to America’s rising mass shooting problem.

‘Every time there is a mass shooting here I buy another gun. It’s my own way of keeping them out of criminals’ hands,’ he said. 

Albanese confirmed state and territory leaders have agreed to strengthen Australia’s gun laws

‘The fact you don’t like us having guns is the exact reason we are still free!’

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to push for tougher restrictions, marking the biggest reform to firearm laws since the Port Arthur massacre that claimed 35 lives.

Within two weeks of the tragedy, the Howard government announced the National Firearms Agreement, a sweeping reform between state and federal governments.

The legislation imposed strict limits on automatic and semi-automatic weapons, launched a national gun buyback program, created a firearms registry, and introduced a mandatory waiting period for gun sales.

Under the new proposals being considered, there could be new limits on the number of guns a person can own, along with more frequent reviews of firearm licences and tighter restrictions on gun modifications.

Non-citizens would be barred from holding firearm permits under the changes, along with a crackdown on imports of 3D-printed weapons.

State and territory ministers also agreed to fast-track work on a national gun register, allowing police to better share information so they can track firearms across jurisdictions.

The register is due to be be operational by mid-2028.