Source Wion
Sydney:
Australia has announced its largest gun buyback program since the landmark reforms of 1996, following the deadly attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach that shocked the nation and reignited debate over gun safety and public security.
The federal government confirmed that the new buyback scheme will target high-risk firearms and strengthen existing licensing and storage laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move reflects Australia’s long-standing commitment to preventing gun violence and ensuring that such attacks remain rare. “We have acted before, and we will act again to protect Australian lives,” he said, adding that public safety would remain the government’s top priority.
The announcement came as thousands of people gathered along the shoreline at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the victims. Mourners stood shoulder to shoulder in silence, many holding candles and flowers, before wading into the ocean for a symbolic vigil. The sound of waves and church bells echoed as surf lifesavers and first responders joined families and friends of the victims in remembrance.
The Bondi Beach attack, which left several people dead and injured, has deeply unsettled Australians and drawn international attention. Investigators are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident, while authorities have increased patrols at major public spaces across New South Wales as a precaution.
Australia’s original 1996 gun reforms were introduced after the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania and are widely credited with drastically reducing mass shootings in the country. The newly announced buyback is expected to build on those measures, with the government allocating significant funds to compensate gun owners and remove prohibited weapons from circulation.
Gun control advocates welcomed the decision, calling it a necessary and decisive response to a national tragedy. However, some firearms groups urged the government to ensure the policy is evidence-based and fairly implemented.
As the nation mourns, flags flew at half-mast across several states, and messages of solidarity poured in from world leaders. For many Australians, the ocean vigil at Bondi Beach became a powerful symbol of collective grief—and a renewed resolve to prevent such violence from happening again.
