Australia Launches Gun Buyback Scheme in Wake of Bondi Attack

The Australian government has announced a gun buyback scheme in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack — the country’s deadliest mass shooting in decades — Tiffanie Turnbull reported for BBC News.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there are now more than 4 million firearms in Australia, more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre.

The scheme is the largest since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which left 35 people dead and prompted Australia to introduce world-leading gun control measures.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured when two gunmen, believed to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology, opened fire at a Jewish festival at the country’s most iconic beach.

Police also said there was no ongoing reason to detain a group of men arrested in Sydney over what authorities described as extremist Islamic ideology.

Police allege that the attack, which they have declared a terrorist incident, was carried out by a father-and-son duo.

Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

His father, Sajid Akram, was killed during the attack.

The day after the shooting, the national cabinet — which includes representatives from the federal government and leaders from all states and territories — agreed to tighten gun controls.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there are now more than 4 million firearms in Australia, more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre.