Australia's Bold Move: New Gun Buyback Scheme After Bondi Attack

Fri Dec 19 2025 17:39:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In response to the tragic Bondi Beach attack, Australia launches its largest gun buyback scheme since 1996, aiming to enhance public safety and tighten gun control.

Following a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia unveils a significant gun buyback initiative focused on mitigating violence. The scheme aims to reduce the number of firearms in private hands and improve public safety in the wake of rising extremism. Prime Minister Albanese emphasizes the urgent need for stricter gun regulations after the attack that claimed 15 lives. The government plans to collaborate with states for funding and managing the buyback, which will cover surplus and illegal firearms to potentially destroy hundreds of thousands of weapons.

In a swift response to the shocking Bondi Beach attack, which resulted in 15 fatalities, the Australian government has revealed plans for a substantial gun buyback scheme. This initiative marks the largest effort to control firearms since the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which galvanized Australia to strengthen its gun laws.

The Bondi incident, declared a terrorist attack, involved two gunmen reportedly inspired by extremist ideologies during a Jewish festival. Authorities have since arrested and charged one individual and are assessing ongoing threats from other groups.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed concerns over the rising number of firearms in Australia, with more than 4 million guns compared to 1996. He stressed that the new buyback program will include purchasing surplus and unauthorized firearms supported by state funding, revolutionizing public safety measures.

The buyback scheme aims to remove and destroy large quantities of firearms, emphasizing that tighter controls should also involve limiting individual gun ownership and creating stricter licensing conditions. Furthermore, work on establishing a national firearms register will be accelerated while ensuring enhanced intelligence access for regulators.

Amid community fears of extremism, police remain vigilant, particularly towards groups with potential violent intentions, though recent releases of individuals alleged with extremist views indicate that threats are being continuously monitored.