Following the Bondi Beach massacre: Australia to buy back weapons from citizens
The state of New South Wales has launched a reform aimed at significantly reducing the amount of private weapons in the hands of citizens. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated: "We must do everything in our power to ensure that the antisemitic attack at Bondi is not repeated; this includes significant gun reform at a national level."
The most populous state in Australia will launch a program to buy back legally owned weapons from its citizens later this year, becoming the first to offer cash in exchange for firearms following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
This initiative is aimed at drastically reducing the amount of privately owned weapons in the state. Under the program, gun owners in New South Wales (NSW) will be able to receive up to 1,000 Australian dollars (about 2,000 shekels) for handing over pistols, shotguns, and assault rifles, starting next month. Australian authorities committed to extensive gun law reforms after 15 people were shot to death by terrorists at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney last December.
State Premier Chris Minns said on Saturday:
"We want these weapons handed in, taken off the streets, and safely destroyed."
Minns stated that the move could lead to the surrender of hundreds of thousands of weapons. Gun ownership reforms already introduced by the state stipulate that private individuals can only own four weapons, although some, such as farmers and sports shooters, may own a maximum of ten.
The program will be offered to those who possess more weapons than allowed under the new rules or who are no longer covered by a license, as license terms have been shortened from five years to two. The program will be implemented in two stages. The first, starting in early November, covers specific types of pistols, shotguns, and rifles. The second stage will begin at the start of next year and will cover "higher value weapons" worth over 3,000 Australian dollars, with a limit of 10,000 Australian dollars. The national gun buy-back program is jointly funded by New South Wales and the federal government.
Businesses will be able to receive up to 25,000 Australian dollars in support to help them adapt to the reforms, with assistance also offered to gun dealers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:
"We must do everything in our power to ensure that the antisemitic attack at Bondi is not repeated. This includes significant gun reform at a national level."
On December 14 last year, 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor, were killed during Hanukkah celebrations along Australia's famous beach. Australian authorities initially planned a national gun buy-back, but plans were delayed due to funding and implementation questions.
