The Australian government pledged on Monday to reinforce the nation’s already stringent firearm regulations following a weekend mass shooting at a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 fatalities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed a series of proposed measures, such as capping the quantity of firearms an individual may possess and initiating a review of licenses held over an extended period.
“The government is ready to implement any necessary actions. This includes the requirement for more robust gun laws,” he stated following a meeting with the National Cabinet.
“If we must strengthen these laws, if there is any action we can take, I am absolutely committed to it,” he further commented.
Australia’s gun control laws are already strict, having been significantly tightened after a 1996 incident in Tasmania where a gunman killed 35 people.
Additional proposed measures involve restricting the number of firearms per person, mandating Australian citizenship for firearm license eligibility, and placing limits on indefinite firearms licenses and permissible gun types.
The shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration as thousands gathered at the popular Bondi Beach for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, marking the beginning of the Jewish festival.
Albanese described the incident as “a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah.”
Two assailants, a 50-year-old father who died at the scene and his 24-year-old son, began shooting, killing 15 individuals whose ages ranged from 10 to 87, according to authorities. Police shot both gunmen, and the son is currently hospitalized.
At least 38 other people are receiving hospital treatment. One of the injured is a man seen confronting and disarming one of the attackers, then aiming the assailant’s weapon at him before placing it on the ground.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke identified the man as Ahmed al Ahmed. The 42-year-old fruit shop owner and father of two was shot in the shoulder.
Al Ahmed’s family reported he emigrated from Syria in 2006 and had surgery on Monday. His parents recently relocated to Australia. They mentioned he had a background in the Syrian .
“My son has always been courageous. He assists people. That’s his character,” his mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. via an interpreter.