Australia sets launch for sweeping gun buyback after Bondi Beach terror attack: 'Sensible gun reform'

Australia is set to launch a major gun buyback program starting in November, marking the first such initiative by a state government in response to the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney earlier this year. The announcement came from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who confirmed the scheme would begin on November 2. Under the initial phase, individuals returning eligible firearms will receive fixed compensation ranging from $450 to $1,000 per weapon, based on the type of firearm. A subsequent phase will allow for the valuation of higher-value firearms, with a cap of $10,000 per item. The decision follows the adoption of stricter gun control measures by Albanese’s center-left government in January, which included the introduction of the buyback program and additional firearms regulations. These reforms were enacted in the wake of the December 14 attack at the Bondi Beach gathering, which was described as an antisemitic act of terrorism. New South Wales independently introduced tighter firearms laws in December, while the federal government also took steps to strengthen legislation against hate speech and extremist activities. According to official data, Australia had a record 4.1 million firearms in circulation last year, with over 1.1 million located in New South Wales, the country’s most populous state. Both suspects in the Bondi Beach incident reportedly acquired their weapons through legal channels. The attack, attributed to a father and son believed to be inspired by the Islamic State, resulted in the death of the older man, Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police at the scene. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, faces multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder, and has yet to enter a plea. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the necessity of implementing comprehensive gun reform to prevent future attacks, stating, “We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again.” He noted that Australia’s current gun laws, while effective, face challenges due to the increased number of firearms compared to the era of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which prompted a previous large-scale buyback. Albanese acknowledged the need for continued efforts to reduce the presence of dangerous weapons in society. New South Wales has imposed restrictions limiting individual firearm ownership to four guns, with exceptions for specific groups such as primary producers, sport shooters, and other licensed individuals with legitimate reasons. These changes affect approximately 274,000 registered firearms, about 24% of the total number in the state, and around 50,000 license holders. The government aims to remove firearms that no longer comply with the updated regulations from public circulation, ensuring they are properly compensated and destroyed. Premier Chris Minns reiterated the commitment to enforcing strict gun laws, stating, “After Bondi, we promised the people of New South Wales we would introduce the toughest gun laws in the country, and that’s exactly what we did.” He highlighted the importance of removing non-compliant firearms from the streets, noting that the process involves handling potentially hundreds of thousands of affected weapons. The goal, he explained, is to ensure the safety of communities by reducing the number of dangerous firearms present. Authorities have charged Naveed Akram with 59 offenses, including multiple counts of murder and related charges. The case continues to unfold as investigators work to determine the full extent of the perpetrators' actions and motivations. Meanwhile, the government’s focus remains on implementing the buyback program effectively, aiming to achieve long-term improvements in public safety through responsible firearm management.