Australia has agreed to new gun restrictions after a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration killed at least 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.
The new laws would tighten access to firearms in the nation in a way not seen since the 1996 Tasmania shooting, which left 35 people dead.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed new firearm restrictions governing how many guns an owner can obtain, as well as reviewing existing license-holders regularly.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary,” Albanese said. “Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws. People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity.”
The 1996 shooting, named the “Port Arthur Massacre,” resulted in landmark gun control measures called the National Firearms Agreement. The agreement restricted ownership of rapid-fire weapons and initiated a buyback program.
Gun deaths in the country dropped following the legislation, which still kept it legal for certain people to own firearms. But the laws that remain are stricter than those in the United States.
Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, said his state’s laws could change without elaborating. Sydney, where Bondi Beach is located, is the state capital of New South Wales.
“It means introducing a bill to Parliament to — I mean to be really blunt — make it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community,” Minns said.
“If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police?” Minns asked.
Australian leaders have also proposed “additional use of criminal intelligence” to decide who is eligible for a gun license.
A father-son duo took part in the shooting, which also injured at least 38 people. The 50-year-old father, who died at the scene, had a gun license and legally owned six firearms. His 24-year-old son did not have a license and remains in a coma.
Albanese said the son had been investigated by the country’s main spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Agency, for six months in 2019. He had been reportedly investigated for ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State group cell. Albanese said no red flags pointing to violence surrounding the 24-year-old had been found.
“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence,” Albanese said.
A bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, wrestled one of the gunmen down and took his firearm. He has been praised for saving lives but is recovering in a hospital from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack. Minns deemed him a “real-life hero.”
BYSTANDER WHO DISARMED GUNMAN DURING BONDI BEACH SHOOTING HAILED AS HERO
“Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk,” Minns wrote. “There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for [Ahmed’s] selfless courage.”
The Bondi Beach shooting is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 attack.
