Australia moves to tighten gun laws after Bondi Beach attack

Australia has announced plans to strengthen its gun laws following the country’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. Police say a father and son carried out a deadly attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. The older suspect was later shot dead by police, bringing the death toll to 16, while his 24-year-old son remains in critical condition in hospital.

The attack lasted between 10 and 20 minutes, during which the gunmen opened fire on men, women and children attending the event. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87. Around 40 people were injured, including two police officers who remain in serious but stable condition.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and antisemitism, pledging full support for the Jewish community. He said the government would move to tighten firearms regulations, including limits on gun ownership, stricter licence reviews, and the creation of a national firearms register.

Police confirmed the older suspect had legally held a firearms licence since 2015 and owned multiple registered weapons. Authorities are now investigating how the attack was carried out despite Australia’s already strict gun laws.

A bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the attackers during the incident has been hailed as a hero. He was seriously wounded but survived, and public donations for his recovery have surpassed one million Australian dollars.