Australian lawmakers approve sweeping new state gun laws, protest ban

Lawmakers in Australia's most populous State on Wednesday (December 24, 2025) approved sweeping laws cracking down on guns and giving authorities the power to ban protests after the nation's deadliest mass shooting in decades. Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in what authorities have said was an antisemitic terrorist attack. Facing growing political pressure over the attack, state and federal governments have proposed changes to gun laws and a broad hate speech ban. The government of New South Wales- where the shooting took place- has recalled its Parliament to introduce what it called the "toughest firearm reforms in the country". The reforms passed the upper house of the New South Wales Parliament early on Wednesday by a vote of 18 to eight. The legislation now goes back to the Lower House to be rubber-stamped later in the day, public broadcaster ABC reported. The new rules will cap the number of guns an individual can own to four, or 10 for exempted individuals like farmers. The legislation will also give authorities power to prohibit protests for up to three months following a terrorist incident. Published - December 24, 2025 07:03 am IST

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