State and territory leaders have agreed to strengthen Australia's gun laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, where a father and son killed 15 people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an urgent national cabinet meeting on Monday, with premiers and first ministers unanimously backing tougher rules on gun ownership.
Measures being considered include accelerating a national firearms register, limiting the number of guns a person can own, and restricting legal weapon types. Only Australian citizens would be able to hold a firearm licence under the proposed changes. Police ministers and attorneys-general will review the proposals, with NSW Premier Chris Minns and West Australian Premier Roger Cook leading the work.
The federal government will also examine customs restrictions on gun imports, including 3D printing and high-capacity ammunition equipment. One of the shooters, Sajid Akram, had held a gun licence for a decade and possessed six registered firearms, which were recovered at the scene.
Leaders agreed to renegotiate the National Firearms Agreement, first established after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, to ensure it remains robust. The national cabinet also pledged to eradicate antisemitism and hate, and to establish a national hate crimes database.
