New South Wales to Launch Gun Buyback Program Following Tragic Shooting
Starting November 2, New South Wales will introduce a gun buyback program as a response to the devastating shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney that resulted in the loss of 15 lives. This initiative was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the weekend.
In collaboration with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, Albanese shared that individuals who surrender eligible firearms under the initial phase of the program will receive fixed compensation, which will range from $450 to $1,000 based on the type of firearm. A second phase will allow for the valuation of certain higher-value firearms, with compensation capped at $10,000.
Following the tragic events at the Hanukkah celebration on December 14, Albanese’s center-left government enacted new gun control laws in January, which include tighter firearms regulations alongside the gun buyback scheme. New South Wales also implemented stricter state laws in December, while the federal government intensified regulations targeting hate speech and extremism.
The alleged shooters obtained their firearms legally. According to the government’s statistics, there were over 4.1 million registered firearms in Australia last year, with more than 1.1 million located in New South Wales.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that a tragedy like the one in Bondi does not happen again. This requires real changes to our gun laws across the nation,” Albanese stated.
This buyback initiative is set to be the largest Australia has seen since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people lost their lives. Albanese noted that the number of guns in Australia has increased significantly since the Port Arthur incident, making reform essential.
New restrictions will limit individuals in New South Wales to owning a maximum of four firearms, with specific exceptions for licensed holders like certain farmers and sport shooters. It is estimated that around 274,000 registered firearms may be impacted by these new limitations, affecting about 50,000 license holders.
“We promised to introduce the strictest gun laws in the country after Bondi, and we have done just that,” said Premier Minns. “The next step is to remove the firearms that are no longer permitted under these new regulations from our streets.”
The tragic events involved a father-son duo believed to be inspired by extremist ideologies. The father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was fatally shot by police, while the 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, is facing numerous charges, including 15 counts of murder.
Amidst the chaos, Ahmed al Ahmed has been recognized for his bravery in tackling and disarming one of the attackers, sustaining injuries in the process and is currently in recovery.
Following the Bondi attack, the government has also strengthened its laws against hate crimes and hate speech, marking a commitment to protect the community. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized the importance of sensible gun reforms to secure public safety, highlighting Australia’s tradition of responsible firearm legislation.
