Breaking News: Australia will begin a nationwide gun buyback scheme in November following a fatal attack at a Hanukkah celebration.
Australia will commence a sweeping gun buyback program on November 2nd, responding to the December 14th attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney where 15 people were killed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced the initiative, offering compensation ranging from $450 to $10,000 per surrendered firearm, depending on its type. The buyback is Australia’s largest since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
The scheme forms part of a broader tightening of gun control measures adopted in January, stemming from the Bondi attack. These include new laws limiting individual firearm ownership generally to four guns, with exemptions for certain licence holders. Authorities estimate up to 274,000 registered firearms in New South Wales are affected by the changes. Last year, Australia recorded 4.1 million firearms nationally, with over 1.1 million in New South Wales. The alleged attackers, a father and son reportedly inspired by Islamic State, had legally obtained the firearms used in the attack. Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder, and has yet to enter pleas.
Albanese emphasised the need for “meaningful nationwide gun reform” following the “antisemitic terrorist attack”. Premier Minns stated the goal is to remove “hundreds of thousands of firearms” from circulation, asserting that “fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales”. Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke highlighted the government’s strengthening of hate crimes and hate speech laws, calling them “the strongest in our country’s history”.
The buyback will proceed in two phases: a fixed compensation track, and a valuation pathway for higher-value firearms. Authorities anticipate the program will significantly reduce the number of prohibited firearms in circulation.
Sources: Fox News, The Daily Telegraph.
