Australia is pushing for tougher gun laws after a mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan following a major security meeting, calling the Bondi Beach attack an act of terror and antisemitism. The proposed changes include stricter background checks, a cap on guns per owner, and regular license reviews.
The federal government will work with state leaders on a unified national response. This move reexamines the country's strict gun control consensus, established decades ago. The shooters, a father and son, had legally acquired several firearms, despite the son previously being investigated by security agencies.
Albanese stated licenses should not be permanent, as people can become radicalized over time. A key goal is closing loopholes in the national agreement, including faster rollout of a National Firearms Register to improve data sharing between jurisdictions. The announced principles are an initial political step, with binding legislation and agreements still to be developed.
The federal government will work with state leaders on a unified national response. This move reexamines the country's strict gun control consensus, established decades ago. The shooters, a father and son, had legally acquired several firearms, despite the son previously being investigated by security agencies.
Albanese stated licenses should not be permanent, as people can become radicalized over time. A key goal is closing loopholes in the national agreement, including faster rollout of a National Firearms Register to improve data sharing between jurisdictions. The announced principles are an initial political step, with binding legislation and agreements still to be developed.
