SYDNEY, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's New South Wales (NSW) will launch a gun buyback scheme as part of tighter firearm controls introduced after last year's deadly Bondi Beach attack, local media reported Saturday.
The scheme, set to begin on Nov. 2, will make NSW the first Australian state to implement the buyback program announced following the attack, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Up to 274,000 firearms and about 50,000 license holders are estimated to be affected by the state's new firearm restrictions, the ABC reported.
Under the scheme, most surrendered firearms will receive fixed compensation of 450 to 1,000 Australian dollars (about 319 to 708 U.S. dollars), while higher-value firearms may qualify for up to 10,000 Australian dollars (about 7,080 U.S. dollars) each from early next year.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said reducing the number of dangerous firearms in the community would make the state safer.
NSW tightened its firearm laws following the Bondi Beach attack, introducing limits on the number of firearms most licence holders can possess and tighter controls on certain types of firearms.
The federal government has also proposed a national gun buyback scheme, though most other jurisdictions have opposed or not committed to the program. ■