Read on cbsnews.comAustralia Announces New Gun Buyback Scheme Following Bondi Beach Terror Attack
In response to the deadly terrorist shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a sweeping new gun buyback program. The initiative, announced just days after the attack, aims to "get guns off our streets" and represents the largest such effort since landmark reforms following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. This article examines the government's proposed measures, the context of Australia's existing gun laws, and the ongoing investigation into the attackers who targeted a Jewish holiday gathering.
In the wake of one of Australia's deadliest mass shootings, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved swiftly to announce a comprehensive new gun buyback scheme, declaring his government's commitment to "get guns off our streets." The announcement comes less than a week after a terrorist attack at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach left 15 people dead at a Jewish holiday gathering marking Hanukkah. This decisive action signals a renewed national effort to strengthen firearm regulations, drawing direct parallels to the transformative reforms enacted nearly three decades ago following the Port Arthur massacre.
The Bondi Beach Attack and Immediate Government Response
The attack on Sunday, December 14, 2025, targeted a festival organized to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed are accused of opening fire on the gathering in what authorities have described as an act of terrorism inspired by ISIS ideology. Sajid Akram was killed in a subsequent gunfight with police, while his son survived and has been charged with 15 counts of murder, terrorism, and dozens of other serious crimes. Prime Minister Albanese stated hours after the attack that there was "no reason someone living in the suburbs of Sydney needed this many guns," referring to the fact that Sajid Akram legally owned six high-powered rifles under existing national laws.
The swift government response underscores the political and public safety imperatives following such a traumatic event. Albanese emphasized that his administration was "prepared to take whatever action is necessary," with a specific focus on toughening gun laws. Proposed measures include limiting the number of firearms a licensed owner can obtain and implementing a mandatory review process for existing licenses. The federal government has committed to splitting the cost of the buyback program evenly with Australia's state and territorial administrations, with detailed legislation to be finalized when lawmakers return to parliament.
A Return to the 1996 Playbook: The Port Arthur Precedent
The newly announced buyback program is explicitly modeled on the landmark 1996 National Firearms Agreement, initiated by then-Prime Minister John Howard after a gunman killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania. That legislation, passed just 12 days after the massacre, banned the sale and importation of all automatic and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, instituted a 28-day waiting period for firearm purchases, and required applicants to demonstrate a "legitimate reason" for ownership. Most significantly, it mandated a massive government buyback of newly prohibited weapons.
The results of the 1996 reforms are well-documented. The government confiscated and destroyed nearly 700,000 firearms, effectively halving the number of gun-owning households in Australia. In the 15 years preceding the laws, Australia experienced 13 mass shootings. In the two decades following, there was not a single one. Overall gun homicides decreased by nearly 60% in the same period. Former Prime Minister Howard, reflecting on the policy in 2016, defended its efficacy against critics, stating, "The number of deaths from mass shootings, gun-related homicide has fallen, gun related suicide has fallen … Isn't that evidence?"
Current Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite the success of the 1996 laws, a study published in May 2025 by the Australia Institute think tank revealed significant gaps in their full implementation. The report noted that some measures agreed upon in the National Firearms Agreement had yet to be enacted 29 years later, and enforcement remained inconsistent across different states and territories. Critically, the study found that overall gun ownership in Australia has rebounded, with over four million registered privately owned guns in the country—800,000 more than before the 1996 buyback.
The report highlighted ongoing issues: Australia still allows minors to hold firearm licenses, lacks a unified National Firearms Register, and maintains inconsistent laws that complicate enforcement. In response to these findings and the Bondi attack, Prime Minister Albanese and state leaders agreed on Monday to explore bolstering gun laws by accelerating the launch of the national firearms register, restricting gun licenses to Australian citizens only, and imposing new restrictions on legal weapon types.
Community Mourning and National Reflection
As the investigation into the Bondi attackers continues—including probing a trip the father and son took to the Philippines weeks before the shooting—Sydney remains on high alert. The community has begun the painful process of mourning and healing. On Friday, December 19, hundreds of surfers and swimmers paddled into the ocean at Bondi Beach, forming a massive ring in the sea to honor the 15 victims. Prime Minister Albanese announced a national day of reflection for Sunday, December 21, urging Australians to light candles at 6:47 p.m., exactly one week after the attack began.
The emotional gathering at the beach, described by participants as having a "beautiful energy," served as a powerful symbol of community resilience. "They slaughtered innocent victims, and today I'm swimming out there and being part of my community again to bring back the light," one participant told reporters. This act of collective remembrance underscores the profound impact of the violence on Australia's social fabric, particularly its Jewish community.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
Australia's announcement of a new gun buyback scheme represents a critical moment for national security and public safety policy. By invoking the precedent of the successful 1996 reforms, the Albanese government seeks to address both the immediate tragedy of Bondi Beach and the longer-term vulnerabilities identified in the current firearm regulatory framework. The effectiveness of this new initiative will depend on bipartisan political will, consistent enforcement across jurisdictions, and sustained public support. As the nation reflects on the lives lost, the proposed measures aim to ensure that the legacy of the Bondi Beach attack is one of strengthened community safety and a renewed commitment to keeping guns off Australian streets.
