Australia's ACT joins gun buyback program after Bondi Beach attack

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), encompassing Canberra, is set to join a national gun buyback program initiated after the deadly attack on Bondi Beach. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the ACT's participation aims to bolster efforts to remove firearms from circulation and enhance public safety.

The government's program, established in January, includes provisions for gun buybacks, stricter licensing controls, and measures against hate-motivated crimes. This response was prompted by the December 14 attack during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, which resulted in 15 fatalities. New South Wales was the first state to commit to the program, which was scheduled to begin on November 2.

“

Thank you to the ACT government for your cooperation as we work to remove guns from our streets to better protect Australians.

Albanese expressed gratitude to the ACT government for their cooperation, stating, "We are working to remove guns from our streets to better protect Australians." He emphasized the goal of preventing antisemitic terrorist attacks like the one seen at Bondi from recurring. According to ACT authorities, approximately 23,000 firearms are registered in the territory, with over 7,000 individuals holding permits.

The planned buyback program is expected to be the most significant since 1996, when similar actions were taken after the Port Arthur massacre on Tasmania, where a gunman killed 35 people. While the exact start date for the ACT's buyback program has not yet been announced, the commitment signifies a continued effort to address gun violence in Australia. The Bondi Beach attackers reportedly used high-powered firearms that were legally obtained, underscoring the program's focus on removing such weapons.

“

The goal is to ensure that an antisemitic terrorist attack like the one we saw at Bondi cannot happen again.