Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday proposed tougher national gun laws after a mass shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach left at least 15 people dead.
Albanese said he would propose new restrictions, including limiting the number of guns a licenced owner can obtain.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese told reporters.
“People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity,” he added.
Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday at a Jewish event being held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring it a terrorist attack. One gunman was fatally shot by police, and the second was arrested.
The suspect was in critical condition, authorities said. A massive emergency response was underway, with injured people loaded into ambulances.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located. Two of those hurt were police officers.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” the state’s Premier Chris Minns said. The massacre was declared a terrorist attack due to the event targeted and the weapons used, Lanyon said. Hundreds had gathered for an event at Bondi Beach called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the Hanukkah Jewish festival.
With inputs from PTI
