Australian state to start gun buyback spurred by Bondi attack

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, will initiate a gun buyback program in November, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday. The scheme aims to purchase handguns, shotguns, and rifles from eligible gun owners who possess more firearms than permitted by new regulations. Albanese emphasized the need for comprehensive national gun reform following a mass shooting that occurred last December at a Jewish celebration in Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 deaths.

The buyback program will offer compensation of up to US$700 (Aus$1,000) per gun, contingent on the type of firearm. The costs will be shared between federal and state governments. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated that hundreds of thousands of guns could potentially be returned and safely destroyed.

Following the Bondi attack, New South Wales authorities pledged a series of gun control reforms, including the buyback scheme. The program will target individuals with excessive firearm holdings, subject to some exemptions for farmers. New South Wales has previously enacted laws limiting residents to owning no more than four guns.