Mourners gather at the Bondi Pavilion as people pay tribute to the victims of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Izhar Khan/Getty ImagesLess than 48 hours after a gunman killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping new gun control measures that could reshape the nation's already-strict firearm regulations
The rapid response demonstrates Australia's willingness to act decisively on gun violence, with state and territory leaders reaching a unanimous agreement at Monday's National Cabinet meeting.
Citizenship Requirement Emerges as Key Reform
Under the proposed changes, only Australian citizens would be eligible to obtain gun licenses. The 50-year-old attacker, who was fatally shot by police at the scene, had entered Australia on a student visa in 1998 and later transitioned to a partner visa, according to the home affairs minister.
Police confirmed the perpetrator held a gun license for approximately a decade and had six firearms registered under his name.
Firearm Caps and Criminal Intelligence
The government plans to cap the number of firearms any individual can own, though specific limits have not been finalized. This incident recalls similar debates in the United States, where communities have grappled with gun violence and policy responses following tragic events.
Authorities will also permit greater use of criminal intelligence in the firearms licensing process. Prime Minister Albanese stated there would be periodic reviews of gun licenses, ending the current open-ended permit system.
Renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement
Leaders agreed on the need for "strong, decisive, and focused action" regarding gun law reform as an urgent measure. The reforms include renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement, originally established after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, to ensure it remains robust in today's evolving security landscape.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Western Australian Premier Roger Cook will lead and coordinate the work across different jurisdictions.
The attack at Bondi Beach represents Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years. The perpetrator targeted a Jewish celebration near the popular beach just before 7pm on Sunday, leaving 40 additional people injured in the 20-minute rampage
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