In the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, the federal government announced a new national gun buyback scheme on Friday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated this will be the largest collection of weapons since the buyback following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed.
New Gun Control Measures
The buyback scheme is being launched alongside a suite of new gun control measures announced by New South Wales. These measures include capping the number of firearms most recreational shooters can possess at four. The costs of the buyback will be shared between the federal government and individual states, with states and territories responsible for collecting surrendered weapons and the Australian Federal Police overseeing their destruction.
Albanese declared Sunday a national day of reflection for the 15 victims of the Bondi attack. Intelligence officials have confirmed the shooter utilized a feed from the Islamic State terror group via an online video game platform. Questions were raised regarding potential intelligence failures, but Albanese stated there was no indication that data sharing could have prevented the attack.
National Cabinet is preparing to discuss further tightening of gun laws, potentially including restricting gun licenses to Australian citizens only, enhancing background checks, limiting license durations, and further restricting the number of weapons an individual can own. A national firearms register, initially recommended after Port Arthur, is being expedited but is not expected to be operational until 2027.
Growing Gun Ownership
Currently, there are more than 4 million legally owned guns in Australia, representing a 25% increase since the landmark reforms implemented after the Port Arthur massacre. Albanese highlighted the case of a Sydney resident who legally possessed six firearms, questioning the necessity of such a large collection.
While the Prime Minister called for bipartisan support, opposition is already emerging. Labor backbencher and Olympic shooter Dan Repacholi expressed concerns that new rules should not penalize responsible gun owners. Members of the Coalition, One Nation, and the Shooters Union have also voiced opposition to stricter gun control measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the new gun buyback scheme?
The buyback scheme is a response to the Bondi Beach terror attack and aims to reduce the number of firearms in circulation, particularly those that could be misused. It will allow gun owners to surrender weapons exceeding new legal limits, and may include voluntary surrenders.
What specific changes are being proposed in New South Wales?
New South Wales is proposing to cap the number of firearms most licensed owners can hold at four, ban firearms with belt-fed magazines, and reclassify certain firearms to a more restrictive license category. They are also removing the ability for gun owners to appeal decisions to suspend or revoke their license.
What is the timeline for the implementation of a national firearms register?
A national firearms register was first recommended after the Port Arthur massacre. It is currently being expedited, but is not expected to be fully operational until 2027 at the earliest.
As these proposals move forward, will Australia be able to strike a balance between responsible gun ownership and enhanced public safety?
