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Australia is once again turning to gun confiscation by another name.
Following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for a national gun buyback scheme. The largest since the sweeping confiscation effort launched after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
According to ABC News Australia, the federal government plans to spend roughly $1 billion to purchase “surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms,” with costs split evenly between the Commonwealth and Australia’s states and territories. Gun owners will be required to surrender affected firearms in exchange for compensation, while the Australian Federal Police will oversee destruction.
Albanese framed the move as unavoidable.
“The deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is a national tragedy which can never be allowed to happen again,” he declared.
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Under the proposal, “rapid-fire, pump-action, and lever-action” rifles and shotguns will be moved into a prohibited category. The plan also includes strict limits on how many firearms an individual may own, restrictions on the types of guns that remain legal, and a new requirement that only Australian citizens may hold firearm licenses.
Australia announces crackdown on “hate speech”
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 20, 2025
They’re about to start arresting people for memes like the UK
RIP… pic.twitter.com/QhlPXISw0B
The government says the latest terrorist attack exposed gaps in existing laws. It noted that one of the attackers reportedly held a valid firearm license and owned six guns. Officials argue that number alone proves the system needs tightening.
“There is no reason someone living in the suburbs of Sydney needed this many guns,” the Prime Minister’s office said in its official release.
But the announcement has already drawn pushback. Not just from the political opposition, but from within Albanese’s own party. New South Wales Labor MP and Olympic shooter Dan Repacholi publicly stated he does not support measures that target law-abiding firearm owners, echoing concerns raised by critics nationwide.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi has broken ranks against Albanese. I agree with him on this. I’d imagine Albanese will try and fuck him over because we all know Albanese is a narcissistic khunt pic.twitter.com/BIdZfdf90o
— EmGeeEm (@jhd_ankh0) December 19, 2025
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Australia now has more than four million registered firearms, a figure higher than at the time of Port Arthur nearly three decades ago. The government argues this growth justifies another national reset. Meanwhile, opponents counter that the response once again punishes licensed owners rather than focusing narrowly on terrorism and criminal misuse.
The government plans to introduce funding legislation soon. States will be responsible for collection and compensation. Officials want all new gun-law reforms finalized by March 2026 and fully enacted by July 1, 2026.
“This national buyback scheme will help get guns off our streets, and help keep all Australians safe,” Albanese said.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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“Mandatory Gun Buyback”…..sounds like an oxymoron….get rid of the monarchy and get a real government!