New South Wales to Launch Gun Buyback Program Following the Bondi Beach Terror Attack
The Australian state of New South Wales will launch a program on November 2 to buy back firearms from their owners following the terrorist attack during a Jewish festival near Bondi Beach in Sydney. According to BBC News, owners will be offered up to 1,000 Australian dollars for turning in eligible handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
Fifteen people were killed in the shooting on December 14 of last year, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated that the government wants the weapons to be turned in, compensation paid for them, and the weapons safely destroyed. According to him, the program could lead to the surrender of hundreds of thousands of firearms.
The program will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which begins in early November, will cover certain types of handguns, shotguns, and rifles. For example, the program offers 1,000 Australian dollars for a revolver and 450 Australian dollars for an air rifle.
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The second phase will begin early next year and will cover more expensive firearms valued at over 3,000 Australian dollars. The maximum compensation during this phase will be 10,000 Australian dollars.
People who own more firearms than allowed under the state’s new rules, or who no longer meet the licensing requirements, will be eligible to participate in the program. Following the reform, individuals are permitted to own a maximum of four firearms, while for certain categories—including farmers and sport shooters—the limit is up to ten firearms. The validity period of licenses has also been reduced from five to two years.
The National Gun BuyBack Scheme is jointly funded by the New South Wales government and the Australian federal government. Businesses will be able to receive up to 25,000 Australian dollars in support to adapt to the new rules; assistance has also been provided for firearms dealers.
