Australia to strengthen gun laws after Bondi Beach massacre by father and son
There could also be reviews of licenses, as it emerged the older attacker had legally owned six ‘long’ guns, with a firearm permit for years
Australia will toughen gun laws after a father and son killed 15 people in the nation’s deadliest terror attack, opening fire on members of the Jewish community who were celebrating the start of Hanukkah at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday.
A 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and a local rabbi were among those killed, while 42 others were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the leaders of Australia’s states and territories on Monday, agreeing with them “to strengthen gun laws across the nation”.
Albanese’s office said they had agreed to look into ways to improve background checks for firearm owners, bar non-nationals from obtaining gun licences and limit the types of weapons that are legal.
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Father, son alleged gunmen in Hanukkah shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15
The prime minister said there could also be reviews of existing licenses.
“People’s circumstances can change,” he said. “People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity.”