National Cabinet has vowed strengthen Australia’s gun laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.In a statement following the snap meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “immediate” priorities included a crackdown on 3D-printed weapons, tighter limits on the number of firearms a person can own, gun imports, and equipment that can hold large amounts of ammunition.Albanese also said police ministers and attorneys-general across the nation had been tasked with developing a number of policies which would limit Australians’ access to firearms.They include a requirement that all licence-holders are Australian citizens, deeper background checks and more regular reviews once someone has a permit.Governments are also considering stricter limits on the number of guns a person can have and more restrictions on the kinds of guns that are legal.
The prime minister and premiers agreed to accelerate work on a national register of firearms, which has been in progress since late 2023.
The proposed major reforms come in response to the attack at Bondi Beach which has been declared a terrorism incident.The alleged shooters are reported to be Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Police have not yet publicly identified the gunmen.It’s the worst mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, when a lone gunman shot dead 35 people, prompting a wave of gun control measures, including a ban on assault rifles and shotguns. NSW Police say one of the alleged gunmen — the 50-year-old father who was shot dead — was a licensed firearms holder, with six guns licenced to him. The guns were collected by the police on Sunday.Ahead of National Cabinet, Albanese said: “People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity,” he told reporters.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has also flagged the state government will look at reforms to ensure such an event never happens again.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his government is prepared to take “whatever action is necessary” and has flagged a number of reforms for tougher gun laws.
“We will take every step we possibly can to keep our community safe and we’ll be looking at law reform along that route,” Minns told reporters on Monday.
“This is an attempt to break apart our social life, to divide Australian against Australian. There’s a massive role for the government, NSW Police and regular citizens to play here to ensure that we keep our community safe. And I won’t hesitate to move legislation if it’s required.”
‘We’re not free of mass tragedies’
World leaders, including former United States president Barack Obama, in 2014 praised Australia’s strict laws as a guide for his country, which is plagued by frequent mass shootings. But those laws are now under scrutiny amid questions about the failure to prevent the mass killing. Gun control advocates say the tragedy is an “urgent reminder” of the need to stay vigilant on firearms.The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which was set up in the wake of Port Arthur, welcomed Minns’ comments on further measures. In a statement, founder Walter Mikac said: “This is a horrific reminder of the need to stay vigilant against hate and violence, and of the importance of ensuring our gun laws continue to protect the safety of all Australians.”Tim Quinn from Gun Control Australia paid his respects to the Jewish community and said there were many areas of reform that needed to be urgently addressed, including vetting processes and reforms to gun categorisations.”Nobody feels safe today,” he told SBS News.
“Australians are so proud of their gun laws, and we proved yesterday that we’re not free of these types of massive tragedies.”
There are over four million registered, privately owned firearms in Australia.
“I’m shocked and horrified and so disappointed with where Australia is at today, considering what a fantastic 30 years we’ve had since Port Arthur,” Quinn said.”We haven’t had a major shooting incident since then, really.”Quinn said while details about the alleged shooters are still to be revealed, one option would be to make sure mental health assessments are conducted every time a gun licence renewal is required. He said NSW was plagued by “a massive proliferation” of guns.
“Whether somebody should need to have six guns is very debatable,” he said.
More guns in Australia since Port Arthur, not fewer
Rates of gun ownership have skyrocketed in Australia. There are now more guns than there were during the Port Arthur tragedy, according to the think tank, The Australia Institute.
Its research shows there are now 800,000 more guns in Australia than after the 1996 gun buyback scheme, which took out 650,000 guns out of circulation.
The Australia Institute has previously pointed to a number of issues with Australia’s gun laws, including laws that vary from state to state, making them difficult to enforce, and the delay in introducing a National Firearms Register, which was flagged in the National Firearms Agreement after Port Arthur. Quinn said the registry must be done in stages to ensure it’s done right.”It has to be correct. It has to be done very well.”— With reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
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