Sajid Akram, one of the two Bondi killers, had been a licensed shooter since 2023. He amassed six firearms, registered to him, in that time. The licence, deemed “recreational”, allowed him to possess an unlimited number of certain guns. On Sunday, he and his son Naveed shot dead 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, and wounded dozens more. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. His son is in hospital with gunshot wounds.

Their bloody rampage has tied two issues together, one that has been rising for two years and one that has been quietly in the background for years: antisemitism and gun control. The first needs strong, decisive leadership on numerous fronts; the latter can be tackled simply and immediately. Former prime minister John Howard, who was the architect of gun reform following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, focused attention on Tuesday on the battle for control of antisemitism ahead of guns.

A surf lifesaver places flowers at a memorial in front of the Bondi Beach Pavilion on Tuesday.Credit: Jessia Hromas

When asked about the gun debate, Howard accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not “providing the........

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