Key Takeaways:
- Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old gunman responsible for the Bondi Beach shooting, trained at a Sydney shooting club in "firearms safety" and "how to hunt".
- The club, Zastava Hunting Association, is associated with Sydney’s Serbian community and offers training and education on hunting and firearms safety.
- Naveed’s father, Sajid Akram, was a licensed firearm owner in NSW and had six registered firearms, despite Naveed coming to the attention of counter-terrorism investigators for association with radicals.
- The attack has raised concerns and questions about gun ownership and access in Australia.
- The Zastava Hunting Association has denied any involvement or connection to the Bondi shootings and has stated that it does not support or associate with such crimes.
Introduction to the Incident
The recent attack at Bondi Beach, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people and injured at least 40 more, has sent shockwaves throughout the community. The alleged perpetrators, Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram, were found to have ties to a Sydney shooting club, where Naveed had received training in "firearms safety" and "how to hunt". This revelation has raised concerns about gun ownership and access in Australia, and has led to questions about how the Akrams were able to obtain firearms despite Naveed’s association with radicals.
The Zastava Hunting Association
The Zastava Hunting Association, where Naveed received his training, is a western Sydney organization associated with the Serbian community. The club’s president, Vanja Kužet, revealed in an interview with a Serbian newspaper that Naveed had attended the club about five years ago, where he received training in "safety training, i.e. how to hunt in New South Wales". The club offers training and education on hunting and firearms safety, and is a legitimate avenue for people to own firearms. However, the club has denied any involvement or connection to the Bondi shootings, stating that it does not support or associate with such crimes.
Gun Ownership and Access
The Akrams’ access to firearms has raised concerns about gun ownership and access in Australia. Sajid Akram was a licensed firearm owner in NSW and had six registered firearms, despite Naveed coming to the attention of counter-terrorism investigators for association with radicals. Four of these firearms were found at the scene of the shooting, and it is unclear how Naveed was able to obtain access to them. The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, NSW, states that a person needs to show a "genuine reason" to have a firearms’ licence in NSW, which can include hunting conducted through a hunting club. However, it is unclear how the Akrams were able to obtain firearms despite Naveed’s association with radicals.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has contacted the Zastava Hunting Association as part of its investigation into the Bondi Beach shooting. The club’s president, Vanja Kužet, has stated that he does not remember Naveed’s face, and that the club treats all clients equally. The AFP is continuing to investigate the attack, and it is unclear what further action will be taken. The community is still reeling from the attack, and many have laid flowers and tributes at the scene of the shooting. The incident has raised important questions about gun ownership and access in Australia, and it is likely that there will be further debate and discussion about these issues in the coming weeks and months.
Conclusion
The Bondi Beach shooting has highlighted concerns about gun ownership and access in Australia, and has raised questions about how the Akrams were able to obtain firearms despite Naveed’s association with radicals. The Zastava Hunting Association, where Naveed received his training, has denied any involvement or connection to the attack, and has stated that it does not support or associate with such crimes. As the investigation into the attack continues, it is likely that there will be further revelations about the Akrams’ access to firearms and the events leading up to the shooting. The community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, and it is hoped that the incident will lead to a greater understanding of the issues surrounding gun ownership and access in Australia.
