On 15/12, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the country needs to tighten its gun control laws, including restricting the number of weapons an individual can own. "The government is ready to take all necessary actions, including demanding stricter gun control", he said.

The statement followed a shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney that resulted in 16 deaths, including the shooter, and left at least 40 injured.

Two gunmen opened fire towards Bondi Beach, Australia, on the afternoon of 14/12. Video: News.com.au

Beyond criticism of the police and security forces' response, the shooting also shook public confidence in Australia's nearly 30-year-old gun control framework. Experts suggest that despite being one of the world's strictest gun management systems, Australia's control mechanism may no longer be fit for purpose.

Following a shooting that killed 35 people in the town of Port Arthur in April 1996, the Australian government took 12 days to enact laws banning semi-automatic firearms, establish a gun buyback program, and implement a licensing system to disqualify individuals deemed unfit to own weapons.

Australia is recognized as having one of the world's lowest per capita rates of gun homicides. However, the number of legally owned firearms has steadily risen over 29 years, now reaching 4 million, exceeding the count before the 1996 crackdown.

New South Wales police stated that Sajid Akram, one of the two suspects, held a legal firearms license for the past 10 years. The suspect owned six firearms, all of which were found at the scene. Police affirmed that Sajid Akram's gun license was issued correctly, with no prior violations.

According to gun control organizations and researchers, this raises questions about whether Australia should further tighten its laws. "Shootings are rare in Australia, which indicates that gun control laws are effective," commented Tim Quinn, president of the Gun Control Australia Organization.

However, he also pointed out that Australia's current laws and enforcement mechanisms may not keep pace with technology and evolving risks.

Maya Gomez, a criminology lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, noted that licensed gun owners in New South Wales must also demonstrate a legitimate reason for possessing a weapon.

The Australian Prime Minister lays a wreath at the scene of the Bondi Beach shooting. Photo: AP

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated that he would consider convening a meeting to advance reforms to firearms ownership laws. "It is time for Australia to change its gun laws, but I have not announced the details today. New laws will be enacted soon," he said.

New South Wales police have proposed a comprehensive review of all gun licenses in the state, emphasizing that the method of issuing permanent gun licenses is "clearly no longer appropriate."

Hong Hanh (According to Reuters)