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Australia Moves to Tighten Gun Laws After Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack

Leaders ordered detailed reforms after police said the licensed father possessed six guns used in the antisemitic attack.

Overview

  • An emergency National Cabinet agreed to strengthen firearm controls, including limits on guns per licence, time‑limited licences, and restricting licences to Australian citizens.
  • Leaders also moved to accelerate a national firearms register and to use additional criminal intelligence in licence eligibility decisions and reviews.
  • Police identified the alleged shooters as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24; at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded at the Hanukkah event, the father died at the scene and the son is hospitalised under guard.
  • Authorities said ASIO examined the younger suspect in 2019 and found no ongoing threat, and investigators have seized weapons and continue the counterterror probe.
  • Officials condemned the antisemitic terror attack, New South Wales signaled state law changes on access to high‑powered weapons, and bystander Ahmed al‑Ahmed was praised for disarming a gunman.