Summary
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national gun buyback program in response to a deadly attack in Sydney, which resulted in 15 deaths. The plan aims to remove newly-banned, surplus, and illegal firearms from circulation. The buyback is similar to the one initiated after the Port Arthur massacre, which was Australia's deadliest mass shooting.
Key Facts
- Australia will start a national gun buyback scheme.
- This action follows a shooting at Bondi Beach where 15 people died.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the current buyback as the largest since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
- More than four million firearms exist in Australia, prompting concerns.
- State and territory authorities will collect the guns for the buyback.
- The goal is to collect and destroy hundreds of thousands of firearms.
- Australia has one of the lowest gun homicide rates globally due to strict gun laws.
- The Prime Minister has also announced new hate speech laws and a national day of reflection after the attack.
