Australia to Consider Tougher Gun Laws Following Sydney Bondi Beach Mass Shooting: PM Albanese
Sydney, The Gulf Observer:: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that his government will consider introducing stricter gun ownership regulations in response to the fatal mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, according to media.
Speaking at a press conference, Albanese said he would discuss tougher gun laws at an emergency meeting with state and territory leaders scheduled for Monday afternoon. He emphasized that the federal government is prepared to take “whatever action is necessary” to prevent similar attacks in the future. Possible reforms could include limits on the number of guns an individual can hold and periodic reviews of firearm licenses.
“People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity,” the Prime Minister said.
Authorities in New South Wales (NSW) confirmed that one of the two alleged shooters, a 50-year-old man fatally shot by police on Sunday night, held a firearms license and legally owned six guns. NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that it is time for “a change” to the state’s gun ownership laws.
Police reported that 16 people were confirmed dead following the shooting, including one of the attackers. Fourteen victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The deceased ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old. Another 40 people were hospitalized, with five in critical condition.
The attack occurred around 6:47 pm local time on Sunday, when the two men opened fire on a crowd of at least 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Authorities officially declared the incident a terrorist attack, and investigations into the motives are ongoing.
Prime Minister Albanese described the attack as an act of “pure evil” and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to eradicating antisemitism. “It is a scourge and we’ll eradicate it together,” he said.
This incident is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur tragedy in Tasmania in 1996, which claimed 35 lives and led to significant reforms in the country’s gun ownership laws.
