Large majority support stronger gun control

𝘈 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘫𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘢 𝘕𝘡 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘤 14, 2025.

𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵: Horizon.

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large majority of New Zealanders support stronger gun laws and limits on the number of firearms owned, following Australia's lead after the Bondi Beach mass shooting. 

 A Horizon survey conducted for Gun Control NZ finds: 68% of adults in New Zealand support further strengthening, with only 15% opposed. 

A majority of those with firearms in their households (54%) are in favour of strengthening the laws, with only 24% opposed.

 The survey also shows that 70% of adults in New Zealand support limiting the number of firearms that a person can own, with only 13% opposed. 

This policy is also supported by a majority of respondents who have firearms in their households (53%) with only 11% opposing it. 

Australian state and federal governments are introducing gun law reforms in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, including limiting the number of firearms a person can own, banning the import of particular types of guns and parts and tightening eligibility for firearms licenses. 

The Post, covering the gun law results..

“New Zealanders clearly understand that our laws are not strong enough to protect us from a Bondi-style attack”, says Nik Green, co-founder of Gun Control NZ. 

“Parliament is currently considering new firearms laws for New Zealand. 

This is the perfect opportunity for MPs to heed the will of the people and learn from the tragedy in Australia,” says Philippa Yasbek, co-founder of Gun Control NZ. 

“We urge the Government and Members of Parliament to improve public safety by limiting the number of firearms that license holders can own.” 

The research was commissioned by Gun Control NZ and undertaken by Horizon Research. 

The results are based on an online survey of 1,051 adults in New Zealand conducted from 20 to 27 February 2026.  

Research method 

Before answering the question on strengthening gun laws, respondents were told: At Syndey’s Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, two gun men killed 15 people and injured a further 40. 

In response to the terror attack, state and federal governments in Australia are making a number of changes to their gun laws.  

These include limiting the number of firearms a person can own, and banning the import of particular guns and parts, such as silencers, large capacity magazines, and some firearms that can be reloaded quickly.

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