New South Wales is set to launch a significant gun buyback program in response to the recent Bondi Beach terror attack, aiming to enhance public safety through stricter firearm regulations.
New South Wales (NSW) will become the first Australian state to implement a gun buyback scheme, with plans to begin the program on November 2. This initiative is part of the national response to a tragic shooting spree that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, as announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday.
Under the initial phase of the buyback scheme, individuals who return eligible firearms will receive fixed compensation ranging from $450 to $1,000, depending on the type of firearm. A subsequent phase will introduce a valuation pathway for certain higher-value firearms, with compensation capped at $10,000 per firearm.
Albanese’s center-left government introduced new gun-control laws in January, following the December 14 attack at the Bondi Beach celebration. These laws include the gun buyback program and stricter regulations on firearms. In December, New South Wales also enacted tighter state firearms laws, while the federal government strengthened legislation targeting hate speech and extremism.
The alleged gunmen in the Bondi Beach attack reportedly acquired their firearms legally. According to government statistics, there were a record 4.1 million firearms in Australia last year, with over 1.1 million located in New South Wales, the country’s most populous state.
“We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again. That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform,” Albanese stated.
This buyback initiative is poised to be Australia’s largest since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where a gunman killed 35 people. Albanese remarked, “Australians are quite rightly proud of our gun laws, but the fact is there are more guns in Australia today than there were at the time of dealing with the Port Arthur gun buyback.”
New South Wales generally restricts individual firearm ownership to four guns, a measure introduced in response to the Bondi Beach attack. However, exemptions exist for certain license holders, including primary producers and sport shooters, who may possess additional firearms. It is estimated that up to 274,000 registered firearms—approximately 24% of the total in New South Wales—are affected by the new ownership limits, impacting around 50,000 license holders.
“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,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns. “The next step is getting the guns that are no longer permitted under those laws out of circulation and permanently off our streets.”
He added, “There are potentially hundreds of thousands of firearms affected by these changes. We want those guns handed in, compensated for, and safely destroyed. This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales.”
The Bondi Beach attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son duo, who police believe were inspired by the Islamic State. The father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police at the scene, while the surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, has not yet entered pleas on numerous charges, including 15 counts of murder. In total, authorities have charged him with 59 offenses, including committing a terrorist act.
A man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for intervening and disarming one of the gunmen during the attack. He sustained gunshot wounds in the incident and is currently recovering.
“After the tragedy at Bondi, we committed to dealing with the motive and the method,” stated Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke. “Since then, we have strengthened our hate crimes and hate speech laws, which are now the strongest in our country’s history.”
Burke concluded, “Today we continue the proud Australian tradition of sensible gun reform designed to protect our community from weapons which have no utility other than to cause harm,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing public safety.
According to Fox News, the gun buyback program represents a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by gun violence and ensuring the safety of Australian communities.