Australia’s Gun Buyback: A Wasteful Response to Deeper Issues?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has initiated a national gun buyback scheme, mirroring the approach taken after the Port Arthur massacre and targeting surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms. The government will collaborate with states and territories to fund the initiative, splitting costs and responsibilities for collection, processing, and destruction of weapons. This action follows the recent deadly attack in Sydney, with the aim to reduce the number of guns on the streets by exploring options like limiting gun ownership and bolstering firearms regulations. The Prime Minister’s announcement coincides with reforms to hate speech laws, and a national day of reflection has been declared to honor the Bondi attack victims.
John Q. Hosedrinker