The father and son terrorists who murdered at least 15 people and wounded another 40 at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration obtained their firearms legally, according to a Sunday New South Wales Police Force briefing.
The 50-year-old father, who was killed in the attack, had six firearms licensed to him, with NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confident that all weapons were accounted for by law enforcement.
Lanyon said that the police had little prior knowledge of the father and son, and their histories did not impact the ability of the deceased suspect to obtain firearms.
"The person was determined to be entitled to have a firearms license and had a firearms license," said Lanyon. "The person had had a firearms license for a number of years, for which there were no incidents, and it was regulated."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a separate Monday briefing with federal officials that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had taken note of the son in 2019 due to his association with others. There was an assessment made that "there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of his engaging in violence."
A national firearms registry was one of the reforms that was being proposed by Albanese in response to the incident.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also said at a Sunday briefing that there would be inquiries into the possibility of making changes to gun laws in response to the incident.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said at the Sunday briefing that there would be inquiries into the possibility of making changes to gun laws in response to the incident.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said there would be inquiries into whether to change gun laws in response to the incident.
Explosives found in nearby vehicle
In addition to firearms, the two terrorists had reportedly constructed two improvised explosive devices that had to be defused by police.
Police conducted searches at two residences: one in the Bonnyrigg suburb and another in Campsie.
ABC identified the younger shooter as Naveed Akram. Police said that the 24-year-old was in critical but stable condition in the hospital.
Home Affairs Minister Burke said on Monday that the younger Akram was an Australian citizen, but the elder had come to the country in 1998 on a student visa before transferring to a partner visa in 2001.