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Calls for a National Digital Firearms Register in Australia

independent Member for Warringah, Zali steggall, is advocating for a national digital register of firearm owners in Australia, citing concerns about gun proliferation in urban areas adn the inadequacy of the current paper-based system. Steggall voiced these concerns on January 19, 2026, highlighting the need for improved tracking of firearms across the country.

Current System and its Limitations

Australia currently relies on a paper-based system for tracking firearm ownership, a method Steggall describes as “ludicrous,” “outdated,” and “ineffective.” This system lacks the real-time data and accessibility of a digital register, hindering efforts to monitor and manage firearms effectively. The absence of a national digital register makes it tough to determine the exact number of firearms present in Australian communities.

Example: Steggall specifically pointed to the situation in her electorate of Warringah, a densely populated area of Sydney, where residents have expressed worry about the increasing number of guns. She stated, “How many guns are actually in our communities?” during a public address on January 19, 2026.

Proposed National Digital Register

Steggall proposes the implementation of a national online register of firearm owners. This digital system would provide a centralized database of all registered firearms and their owners, allowing for more efficient tracking, monitoring, and enforcement of gun control laws.A digital register would also facilitate quicker responses to incidents involving firearms and aid in investigations.

Evidence: While details of the proposed register are still under development,Steggall’s call aligns with ongoing discussions about strengthening gun control measures in Australia following recent incidents and concerns about illegal firearm activity. The current system’s limitations were highlighted in a 2023 report by the Australian Institute of Criminology, which noted the challenges of data sharing between state and territory police forces due to the fragmented nature of the existing paper-based records.