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Supporting national gun buyback as a proven life-saving measure

Published July 25, 2026 at 9:02 PM UTC

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Backers of a national gun buyback argue that the 1996 scheme is a clear precedent for success. After Port Arthur, Australia's coordinated buyback removed more than 600,000 firearms and led to a sharp drop in gun homicides and suicides. Advocates say the Bondi Junction attack, where a knife-wielding assailant killed six people, highlights the need to prevent similar tragedies by limiting access to high-powered weapons. They contend that a new buyback would target semiautomatic rifles and shotguns that are legally owned but pose a public risk. Supporters also point to broad public backing: polls consistently show strong support for tighter gun laws. They argue that cost should not be a barrier, as the long-term savings from reduced violence and healthcare costs outweigh the initial expense. Without a national scheme, they warn, the patchwork of state laws leaves loopholes that dangerous individuals can exploit. The push is not about confiscating all guns, but about removing the most lethal ones from circulation, as was done successfully in 1996.