‘Toughen these up’: PM flags gun law changes after Bondi
The Prime Minister said he would propose stricter limits on the number of guns people could own and try to introduce periodic licence reviews.
Source: Sky News
Australia’s gun laws will likely be tightened after Sunday’s terror shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left at least 16 people, including one of the gunmen, dead.
Police have revealed Sajid Akram, 50, legally owned six weapons, which he and 24-year-old son Naveed used during Sunday night’s attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would propose stricter limits on the number of guns people could own and try to introduce periodic licence reviews.
“People’s circumstances can change, people can be radicalised over a period of time, licences should not be in perpetuity,” he said.
“If we need to toughen these up, if there’s anything that we can do, I’m certainly up for it.”
The proposal was to be put to state and territory leaders at an emergency national cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon.
NSW Police have defended their response to the terrorist attack as they investigate the Akrams’ motives, including whether they were driven by Islamic State sympathies.
The pair sprayed bullets into a crowd at the Chanukah by the Sea event at Archer Park from about 6.47 pm on Sunday, leaving 15 people dead, including a child, and dozens injured.
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Sajid Akram died after being shot by police, taking the death toll so far to 16.
NSW Health said 27 people remained in hospitals across Sydney on Monday afternoon. Of those, nine are in critical conditions.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid Akram had held a gun licence for a decade for the purported purpose of recreational hunting. It included the right to own the long-arm weapons used in the attack.
“He was a member of a gun club and was entitled … to have a firearms licence issued,” he said, adding Akram would have been closely scrutinised by the firearms registry.
But he refused to comment on a report from the ABC that ASIO examined one of the men six years ago over close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell. He also declined to confirm reports that a black IS flag was found on or inside the alleged gunmen’s car.
“That’s very much part of the investigation. At this stage I’m not prepared to confirm any of that,” Lanyon said.
“I think I also it made clear that with a person who is currently in hospital, who may well face criminal charges, it’s important I don’t prejudice any prosecution.”
Lanyon said there was “no indication” in advance that either of the Akrams was planning an attack.
Naveed’s mother, Verena, told The Sydney Morning Herald that she last spoke to her family on Saturday morning, and was told the father and son pair were in Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast.
“He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, ‘mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. We’re going … to eat now, and then this morning, and we’re going to stay home now because it’s very hot’,” Verena said.
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Premier Chris Minns said a review of NSW gun laws was already underway and he would recall parliament to make changes.
“If you’re not a farmer, if 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 NSW Police?,” he said.
The changes could include an audit of all gun licence-holders as police had long flagged the current system as unfit.
Victims are taken to hospital after Sunday’s incident. Photo: AAP
Lanyon also defended the police response to the shooting, despite witnesses describing waiting for up to 10 minutes for help to arrive.
Officers were tasked to be at the event, part of the force’s collaboration with Jewish security groups, he said.
“There were police at the scene at the time, police responded promptly,” he said.
“We have seen very clearly on footage the bravery of officers and members of the public, who took very prompt action to resolve this matter.”
Operation Shelter had immediately mobilised to protect and comfort to the Jewish community, with more than 300 police on Sydney streets on Monday.
They would be highly visible at places of worship and gatherings, Lanyon said.
“Police understand the fear that is currently within that community,” he said.
Other states are also stepping up efforts to protect Jewish communities, including for planned Hanukkah celebrations and other major events.
Lifeline 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14.
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm, call triple zero (000) or Mental Health Triage on 13 14 65 (available 24/7 across South Australia).
-with AAP
