Australian state to begin gun buyback after Bondi Beach attack

Key Points:

• New South Wales (NSW) will launch a gun buyback scheme starting 2 November, offering up to AUS$1,000 for eligible firearms, becoming the first Australian state to offer cash in exchange for guns following the Bondi Beach terror attack.
• The scheme targets gun owners with more firearms than allowed under new laws or those no longer covered by a licence, with ownership limits set at four firearms for most individuals and up to ten for farmers and sports shooters.
• The buyback will occur in two phases: the first phase covers common handguns, shotguns, and rifles, while the second phase, starting early next year, will focus on higher-value firearms valued between AUS$3,000 and AUS$10,000.
• The initiative is jointly funded by NSW and the federal government, with financial support available for businesses and gun dealers to help them adjust to the new regulations.
• The reforms follow a deadly antisemitic terror attack in December 2022 at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed, prompting calls for stronger firearm controls to prevent future tragedies.