MELBOURNE, Australia — A state official has revealed that a man charged with killing 15 people during an antisemitic attack in Sydney faced a significant delay in obtaining a gun license due to bureaucratic issues, rather than concerns about potential threats. The incident, which took place at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, represents Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns provided details, confirming that the man, Sajid Akram, applied for his firearm license in 2000 but did not receive it until three years later. In normal circumstances, the licensing process typically requires six to ten weeks.
“The information we have indicates that the delays were the result of bureaucratic complications surrounding gun licenses, rather than specific threats made by the individual,” Minns told reporters. This statement has raised questions about how Akram legally acquired six firearms, including rifles and shotguns.
Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the attack, was accompanied by his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who also faces serious charges. Naveed reportedly shared a residence with his father, despite having previously come under scrutiny by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation due to suspected extremist ties.
“I wish I could turn back time to prevent this tragedy,” said Minns, acknowledging public concerns about gun ownership and accountability. In response to the attack, a royal commission is set to investigate both the circumstances of the shooting and the increasing antisemitism in Australia, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Legislative changes aimed at tightening gun control in New South Wales are being considered. Minns stated that proposed reforms could establish some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Experts have noted that evidence from the attack suggests the firearms used featured straight-pull mechanisms, enabling rapid firing, which would fall outside the new restrictions aimed at recreational users.
Under the proposed law, Australian citizenship would be a prerequisite for obtaining a gun license, effectively barring Sajid Akram, who was an Indian citizen. The reforms would also prevent appeals against decisions to deny licenses based on agencies’ suspicions.
Current regulations in New South Wales place no limits on the number of firearms one can own, but the new legislation would cap private ownership to four guns for recreational shooters and ten for farmers and sports shooters. Some rural representatives have opposed these measures, arguing they do not adequately address the rise in antisemitism.
Court documents allege that the Akrams adhered to a “religiously motivated ideology linked to Islamic State.” Naveed Akram was shot in the abdomen by police during the attack and has been charged with multiple offenses, including 15 counts of murder. He is currently in custody, having been moved from a hospital to a correctional facility.
Funeral services for the victims have begun, with services held for those affected. While the health department reported that dozens of individuals injured in the attack remain hospitalized, including several in critical condition, the community mourns a profound loss of life and seeks justice for the heinous crime.
Australia’s troubled history with mass shootings dates back to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which prompted significant reforms aimed at reducing access to rapid-fire weapons. The current tragedy serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of revisiting and reinforcing gun control measures to prevent future violence.