Australia to Tighten Gun Laws After Bondi Beach Mass Shooting

At least 15 people were killed in a gun attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, prompting an emergency meeting of federal and state leaders.

Massacre and Victims

The shooting took place at the end of a summer day when thousands had gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event. 38 people, including two police officers, were treated in hospitals. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and included a 10‑year‑old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor. Among the dead was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the event.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen, while French President Emmanuel Macron said a French citizen, Dan Elkayam, was among those killed. Larisa Kleytman told reporters that her husband, Alexander Kleytman, was also a victim.

Suspected Shooters

Police shot two suspected shooters, a father and son. The 50‑year‑old father died at the scene. His 24‑year‑old son remains in a coma. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the son had been investigated by the Australian Security Intelligence Agency for six months in 2019, and that ASIO had examined his ties to a Sydney‑based Islamic State group cell.

Government Response

In a statement after the emergency meeting, the nine leaders said they would immediately overhaul national gun control laws. Albanese proposed new restrictions, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain and reviewing existing licences over time. He also said the government would restrict gun ownership to Australian citizens, a measure that would exclude the older suspect, who became a permanent resident after marrying a local woman.

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales, said his state would change its gun laws but could not yet detail how. He added that “if you’re not a farmer, 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 New South Wales Police?”

Community and International Reactions

Jewish leaders and survivors expressed fear and fury. Lawrence Stand, who rushed to a bar mitzvah celebration during the attack, said “there’s been a heap of inaction.” Alex Ryvchin, spokesperson for the Australian Council of Executive Jewry, told reporters that “the paramount and fundamental duty of government is the protection of its citizens,” calling the government’s actions an “immense failure.”

A man named Ahmed al Ahmed was identified by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as a hero who tackled and disarmed one gunman before being shot in the shoulder. The 42‑year‑old fruit shop owner, an Australian citizen who migrated from Syria in 2006, underwent surgery on Monday.

Key Takeaways

• 15 people were killed and 38 injured in the Bondi Beach shooting.
• The suspected shooters were a 50‑year‑old father (dead) and his 24‑year‑old son (in coma).
• Federal and state leaders agreed to overhaul gun laws, including limiting ownership to citizens and tightening licence reviews.

The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger gun controls and heightened scrutiny of antisemitism in Australia.