Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is vowing to impose even stricter gun control measures after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday left 15 dead and more than two dozen injured during a Hanukkah event.
The attack was allegedly carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24.
The Islamic father and son are believed to be radical anti-Israel activists from Pakistan.
The elder Akram reportedly has held a valid gun license for a decade and legally owned six firearms.
Albanese quickly responded by promising additional restrictions on lawful gun ownership.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary,” he said.
“Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.”
Other government officials are now proposing limiting firearm ownership exclusively to Australian citizens, a rule that would have barred the older gunman, who migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later became a permanent resident.
Authorities did not confirm his country of origin.
Lawmakers are also pushing for the expanded use of criminal intelligence when evaluating firearms applications, a move that CBS News noted “could hypothetically have meant that a 2019 investigation into the son’s suspicious associates, confirmed Monday by Albanese, would have disqualified the father from owning a gun.”
NSW Premier Promises New Restrictions
New South Wales Premier Christopher Minns signaled that his state will tighten its gun laws but declined to provide specifics.
“It means introducing a bill to Parliament to — I mean to be really blunt — make it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community,” Minns said.
“If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police?”
Australia’s Gun Laws Already Among the Strictest in the West
Australia enacted sweeping gun control measures two weeks after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where one gunman killed 35 people.
Then–Prime Minister John Howard pushed through the National Firearms Agreement (NFA), which explicitly defined gun ownership as a “privilege” rather than a right.
The government then launched two federally funded gun buybacks and voluntary surrender programs that resulted in more than a million firearms being destroyed.
Under current law, Australians must obtain a firearms license and present a “genuine reason” for ownership, and self-defense does not qualify.
Critics argue these policies have left law-abiding citizens defenseless against terrorists and violent criminals who do not follow licensing rules.
Albanese Shifts Focus to “Right-Wing Extremism” After Islamic Terror Attack
During a press conference following the massacre, which authorities have identified as an Islamic terrorist attack, Albanese invoked concerns about “right-wing extremism” when asked about the alleged shooters.
A journalist asked:
“Prime Minister, Mike Burgess warned you in February that antisemitism was the number one threat to life. Is that still the case and have you taken these threats seriously enough?
“And Acting Deputy Commissioner, if I may, it’s my understanding that Sajid Akram moved to Australia in the late 90s, I believe from Pakistan. Is that correct?”
Albanese responded:
“On the latter, the Minister will respond.
“We take ASIO’s advice very seriously.
“We work closely with them.
“We receive regular updates as well.
“The Director-General of ASIO has warned about a range of threats, be it anti-Semitism, the rise of right-wing extremist groups, as well.
“And we continue to work closely with our security agencies.”
WATCH:
Despite the attack being carried out by individuals tied to Islamic extremism, the government’s immediate focus has shifted toward more gun control and heightened scrutiny of “right-wing extremist groups.”
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.