Australian premier hints at 'tougher gun laws' after deadly mass shooting in Sydney

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - After the deadly mass shooting in Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that he will discuss "tougher gun laws" at the national Cabinet this afternoon.

At least 16 people were killed, including 15 victims and one of the assailants, and 42 remained in hospital after the shooting incident at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Earlier, Australian police said that the two suspected gunmen in the shooting were a father and son, and that investigators are not searching for any additional suspects.

The father was killed at the scene, while the son remains in critical but stable condition in the hospital.

The Australian government "is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws," Albanese told a news conference.

The agenda on the tougher gun laws will include limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals and a review of licenses over a period of time, he said.

"Licenses should not be in perpetuity, and checks, of course, making sure that those checks and balances are in place as well," he added.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also said that gun laws need to change to ensure last night's attack does not happen again.

"It does require legislation. It means introducing a bill to Parliament, making it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community," he said at a news conference, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The attack was widely condemned by the international community.