Australia’s Leftist Leaders Call For ‘Tougher Gun Laws’ After Antisemitic Massacre

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that the country’s Left-wing government stands “prepared” to pass more restrictive gun laws after two gunmen killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens more at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday.

Albanese responded to the terrorist attack by cracking down even more on gun ownership, saying the country must “take whatever action is necessary,” the Associated Press reported.

“Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese added.

Australia already has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the world after the government enacted a mandatory buyback program following the 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, where a gunman killed 35 people. Australia bans citizens from owning semi-automatic rifles and pump-action shotguns.

The Australian government maintains strict oversight of legal firearms, including mandatory background checks and a 28-day waiting period for gun purchases. Australia’s Firearms Act of 1996 also requires citizens to provide a “genuine reason” for owning a gun, such as hunting, farming, sport shooting, or historical collections. Personal protection is not considered a “genuine reason” for owning a firearm, according to the Australian government.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said on Monday that the state’s gun laws would change following the terrorist attack.

“If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police?” Minns asked.

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Australian leaders have proposed a new measure that would limit the number of guns a person could own, according to the Associated Press.

The suspected gunmen in Sunday’s attack are 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. The father-son duo appeared to use bolt-action rifles to target Jewish people observing Hanukkah, according to videos. Police also reportedly recovered shotguns at the scene of the shooting, but authorities have yet to confirm what firearms were used by the attackers to fire upon the Jewish people. Officials said at a press conference that Sajid possessed firearms legally.

Sajid was killed at the scene by responding police officers, while his 24-year-old son was wounded and is currently in a coma. One video showed a man charging one of the gunmen and wrestling his gun away. The man who jumped into action to confront the shooter was identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, an immigrant from Syria. Ahmed was shot in the shoulder and underwent surgery on Monday.

The gunmen were “clearly” motivated by extremism, according to officials, who have described the shooting as antisemitic terrorism. Naveed was on Australian authorities’ radar in 2019 when he was investigated over alleged ties to ISIS, but authorities eventually ruled that he was not a threat at the time.

“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence,” said Albanese.

Sajid immigrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and became a permanent resident after marrying an Australian citizen. Australian officials did not say which country he moved from. His son Naveed was born in Australia.