In brief
The Australian state of New South Wales will introduce a gun buyback programme later this year, offering cash to owners of eligible firearms after the Bondi Beach terror attack. Gun owners can hand in shotguns, rifles and handguns from 2 November, receiving up to AUS$1,000 for a revolver and AUS$450 for an air rifle. The scheme will roll out in two phases: the first for standard firearms, the second, early next year, for high‑value guns above AUS$3,000, capped at AUS$10,000. Both state and federal governments will fund the buyback and provide support to affected businesses and gun dealers.
Australia’s most populous state will launch a gun buyback scheme later this year, becoming the first to offer cash in exchange for firearms in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Gun owners in New South Wales (NSW) will be offered up to AUS$1,000 (£523) to hand over eligible handguns, shotguns and rifles from 2 November.
Australian authorities pledged sweeping firearm law reforms after the 15 people shot dead at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach last December.
The state’s premier Chris Minns said the move could see hundreds of thousands of guns surrendered and will only allow owners to hold a maximum of four firearms, with some exceptions raised to ten.
Participation is limited to those with more weapons than permitted by the new rules or who are no longer covered by a licence, with terms for a licence reduced from five years to two.
The scheme will be offered in two phases. The first, from the start of November, covers handguns, shotguns and rifles, paying AUS$1,000 for a revolver and AUS$450 for an air rifle.
The second phase will start early next year and cover “higher‑value firearms” valued above AUS$3,000, capped at AUS$10,000.
The National Gun BuyBack Scheme is jointly funded by NSW and the federal government. Businesses will receive up to AUS$25,000 in support to adjust to the reforms, and gun dealers will also receive assistance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for all measures that would prevent the Bondi attack from happening again, stating the need for nationwide gun reform.
The attack on 14 December killed 15 people, including a 10‑year‑old girl and a Holocaust survivor, during Hanukkah celebrations near Australia’s most famous beach.
An initial plan for a nationwide buyback was delayed over funding and implementation concerns, leaving NSW to act first.
