Australia Plans Gun Buyback After Bondi Beach Mass Shooting

By Manisha Sahu
America News World
December 19, 2025

Australia has announced plans to introduce a national gun buyback scheme following a deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, an attack that left the nation in shock and reignited debate over gun control and extremist violence. The move was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday, as thousands gathered to honour the victims in emotional tributes across the country.

People pass by a memorial painted on a walkway bridge in tribute to the victims of last Sunday’s Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Friday, December 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Markham)

The shooting, which occurred on Sunday, killed 15 people and injured dozens more after two gunmen opened fire on crowds celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Authorities have said the attack appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State, prompting heightened security nationwide and renewed calls for tougher gun laws.

Gun Buyback Plan Announced

Speaking at a media briefing, Prime Minister Albanese said the government would roll out a gun buyback program similar to the landmark reforms introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, when a lone gunman killed 35 people. That tragedy led Australia to adopt some of the strictest gun laws in the world.

“Australia’s gun laws were last substantially reformed after Port Arthur,” Albanese said. “The terrible events at Bondi show that we need to get more guns off our streets.”

The proposed buyback will target surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms, with costs shared between federal and state governments. Albanese said the scheme aims to reduce the number of weapons in circulation and prevent future acts of mass violence.

Scale of Firearms in Australia

According to the prime minister, an estimated four million firearms are currently held across Australia. Although the country has strict licensing requirements, critics argue that loopholes remain.

One of the Bondi attackers, a 50-year-old man who was shot dead by police at the scene, reportedly held a valid firearm license and had six registered guns, raising serious concerns about oversight and enforcement.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, Australia successfully bought back and destroyed about 640,000 prohibited firearms, at a compensation cost of approximately A$304 million. Officials believe the new program could deliver similar long-term public safety benefits.

Bondi Shooting and Security Response

The Bondi attack has been described as one of the deadliest terror-related shootings in recent Australian history. Investigators say the gunmen targeted civilians in a crowded public space, amplifying fear among communities already on edge.

Authorities have increased police patrols across Sydney and other major cities, particularly around religious institutions, public beaches, and transport hubs. Additional security has been deployed at Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque, one of the largest in Australia, ahead of Friday prayers.

Police say these measures are precautionary and aimed at preventing further violence.

Police speak with a beachgoer at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Friday, December 19, 2025, in the aftermath of last Sunday’s shooting. (AP Photo/Steve Markham)

Seven Men Detained in Sydney

Late Thursday night, New South Wales police intercepted two vehicles in Sydney’s southwest and detained seven men after receiving intelligence suggesting a possible violent act was being planned.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the men were stopped as part of proactive counterterrorism efforts. While there is no confirmed link between the detained individuals and the Bondi shooters, authorities believe the group may have shared similar extremist ideologies.

Lanyon said the men could be released after assessments determined that the specific threat level was unclear, but warned police were “not prepared to take any risks,” particularly after suspecting the group may have been planning to visit Bondi.

Extremist Links Under Investigation

The Islamic State has referred to the Bondi shooting as a “source of pride” in an article published on its Telegram channel, although the group has not formally claimed responsibility.

Australian intelligence agencies are continuing to investigate possible extremist influences behind the attack. Officials stress that online radicalisation remains a growing challenge, especially in the context of global conflicts and rising hate rhetoric.

Government Moves to Tackle Hate Crimes

The Albanese government is also facing pressure over what critics describe as a surge in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Gaza war. In response, the prime minister said the government would strengthen hate crime laws and enforcement.

The administration has already passed legislation criminalising hate speech and expelled the Iranian ambassador, accusing Tehran of directing two antisemitic arson attacks in Australia.

“The government has consistently denounced antisemitism,” Albanese said, adding that violence motivated by hate or extremism would not be tolerated.

Community Mourning at Bondi Beach

On Friday, Australia’s Jewish community gathered at Bondi Beach for prayers and remembrance. In a powerful show of solidarity, hundreds of swimmers and surfers paddled into the ocean, forming a large circle offshore to honour the victims.

Memorials, flowers, and handwritten messages lined the beachfront, as mourners observed moments of silence.

Community leaders described the scenes as deeply moving during a period of heightened fear.

“Over the past two years, many people have questioned whether we are still welcome here,” said Rabbi Yosef Eichenblatt of Sydney’s Central Synagogue. “Seeing this outpouring of love and support has been incredibly heart-warming and therapeutic.”

A Nation at a Crossroads

The Bondi massacre has reopened painful memories of past tragedies and forced Australia to confront ongoing threats from extremism, hate crimes, and gun violence. While the country remains far safer than many others when it comes to firearms, leaders acknowledge that complacency is not an option.

The proposed gun buyback scheme, combined with tougher hate laws and enhanced policing, signals a renewed effort to protect public spaces and restore confidence.

As investigations continue and the nation mourns its dead, Australians are once again grappling with how to balance freedom, security, and unity in the face of violence.