Only Australian citizens would be able to hold a firearm licence under stronger gun laws being considered by states and territories in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. Source: ABC News.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an urgent meeting of National Cabinet yesterday, where premiers and first ministers unanimously agreed to bolster rules around gun ownership.
Accelerating the launch of a national firearms register, limiting the number of guns a single person can own and further restricting the types of weapons that are legal are among the options being explored.
State and territory leaders have commissioned their police ministers and attorneys-general to consider the measures, as well as making Australian citizenship a “condition” of a firearm licence.
There was also agreement to look at allowing the use of additional criminal intelligence to “underpin” firearms licensing.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and West Australian Premier Roger Cook will lead and coordinate the work across the different jurisdictions.
The Albanese Government will also start work on potential customs restrictions for gun imports, including 3D printing, novel technology and firearms equipment capable of holding large amounts of ammunition.
A statement released after the meeting said leaders agreed “strong and focused action” was needed on gun law reform, including renegotiating the national firearms agreement first established after the 1996 Port Arthur mass shooting, to “ensure it remains as robust as possible in today’s changing security environment”.
The National Cabinet also pledged to “eradicate” antisemitism, hate, violence and terrorism, noting work underway, including establishing a national hate crimes and incidents database.
Fifteen people were killed — including a 10-year-old girl — when a father and son opened fire on members of Australia’s Jewish community, who were gathered at the beach to mark the first day of Hanukkah.
One of the two gunmen, Sajid Akram, was killed, while his son, Naveed Akram, is being treated in hospital under police guard.
Mr Albanese said the Government was “prepared to take whatever action is necessary” ahead of taking his proposal for tougher gun laws to National Cabinet.
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National Cabinet agrees unanimously to strengthen Australia’s strict gun laws in wake of Bondi terror attack (By Maani Truu and Clare Armstrong, ABC News)
