Australia Announces Plan to Buy Back Guns in Wake of Bondi Attack

Government launches a nationwide voluntary buy‑back to remove hundreds of thousands of firearms

The Australian government unveiled a sweeping gun‑buy‑back programme on Friday, pledging to take hundreds of thousands of firearms off the streets in the aftermath of the tragic Bondi shooting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained that the initiative is voluntary but will be backed by a substantial federal fund of AUD 150 million, allowing owners to surrender eligible weapons in exchange for cash vouchers.

Key features of the scheme include:

• Eligibility: Semi‑automatic rifles, pump‑action shotguns, and high‑capacity magazines identified as “high‑risk” under the current firearms legislation.
• Timeline: Collection points will operate nationwide from 1 January 2026 for a period of 12 months.
• Incentives: Voucher values will range from AUD 200 to AUD 1,000 depending on the type and condition of the firearm.
• Security: All surrendered weapons will be destroyed under strict supervision to ensure they never re‑enter the market.

The prime minister stressed that the programme aims to reduce gun‑related violence and restore public confidence after the Bondi incident, which sparked a renewed national debate on firearm safety.

Opposition leaders welcomed the effort but called for stricter background checks and faster implementation. Meanwhile, firearms advocacy groups warned that the voluntary nature of the buy‑back might limit its impact.

Officials will monitor the programme’s progress and release quarterly reports on the number of weapons collected, with the goal of removing at least 200,000 firearms by the end of 2027.