The Australian government has announced a gun buyback scheme in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack - its deadliest mass shooting in decades. The scheme is the largest since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which left 35 people dead and prompted Australia to introduce world-leading gun control measures.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday when two gunmen, believed to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology, opened fire on a Jewish festival at the country's most iconic beach. On Friday, police stated there was no ongoing reason to detain a group of men arrested in Sydney over their extremist beliefs.
Police allege Sunday's attack, which they have declared a terrorist incident, was committed by a father-son duo. Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father was killed during the attack.
In the aftermath of the shooting, national cabinet agreed to tighten gun controls. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that Australia now has over 4 million firearms, more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre, stressing that tighter regulation is necessary to enhance public safety.
The new buyback scheme is set to target surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms, with the government estimating thousands of weapons will be collected and destroyed. Additionally, the initiative will include a national firearms register and enhanced access to criminal intelligence for firearm regulators.
As part of the national response, limits on the number of firearms held by individuals will be imposed, alongside restrictions on open-ended licensing and classification of legal firearm types. Responding to past events, the cabinet has recognized the urgent need to ensure citizens' safety in light of growing instances of gun violence.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday when two gunmen, believed to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology, opened fire on a Jewish festival at the country's most iconic beach. On Friday, police stated there was no ongoing reason to detain a group of men arrested in Sydney over their extremist beliefs.
Police allege Sunday's attack, which they have declared a terrorist incident, was committed by a father-son duo. Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father was killed during the attack.
In the aftermath of the shooting, national cabinet agreed to tighten gun controls. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that Australia now has over 4 million firearms, more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre, stressing that tighter regulation is necessary to enhance public safety.
The new buyback scheme is set to target surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms, with the government estimating thousands of weapons will be collected and destroyed. Additionally, the initiative will include a national firearms register and enhanced access to criminal intelligence for firearm regulators.
As part of the national response, limits on the number of firearms held by individuals will be imposed, alongside restrictions on open-ended licensing and classification of legal firearm types. Responding to past events, the cabinet has recognized the urgent need to ensure citizens' safety in light of growing instances of gun violence.
