Key Takeaways
- The New South Wales parliament will be recalled to consider gun reforms in the wake of the Bondi terror attack
- Proposed reforms include limits on the number of firearms a licensed shooter can own and reclassification of straight shotguns
- The legislation would also prohibit belt-fed ammunition magazines and remove the right to appeal to the NSW Civil and Administrative tribunal when a licence is revoked
- The government is also considering measures to restrict protest activity in the wake of terror threats
- There are currently over 1.1 million firearms registered in NSW, with some individuals owning over 200 guns
Introduction to Gun Reforms
The New South Wales parliament is set to be recalled ahead of Christmas to discuss and implement gun reforms in response to the recent Bondi terror attack. Premier Chris Minns has announced that the proposed reforms will include limits on the number of firearms a licensed shooter can own, as well as the reclassification of straight shotguns and the prohibition of belt-fed ammunition magazines in those weapons. The legislation would also seek to remove the right of shooters to appeal to the NSW Civil and Administrative tribunal when a licence is revoked. These reforms aim to address the current lack of restrictions on gun ownership in NSW, where there is currently no cap on the number of firearms an individual can hold.
Proposed Legislation
The proposed legislation is currently being drafted and will be fast-tracked through parliament, which will sit on December 22 and 23. The government will share the proposed bill with the opposition as soon as possible, allowing for a thorough review and discussion of the reforms. The legislation will also seek to limit the number of guns an individual could hold in NSW, which is currently uncapped. This move comes after it was revealed that the Bondi Beach shooting gunman, Sajid Akram, was licensed for six registered firearms, all of which were seized in the hours after the attack. The government hopes that these reforms will help to prevent similar incidents in the future and improve public safety.
Protest Restrictions
In addition to the gun reforms, the state government is also considering measures to restrict protest activity in the wake of terror threats. Premier Minns has expressed concerns that mass demonstrations during terror threats could "light a flame that would be impossible to extinguish" and has proposed reforms that would allow the police commissioner to reject applications for protests during such times. This move is aimed at reducing the risk of community disharmony and preventing the escalation of tensions. The premier has stated that he is exploring all possible ways to "lower the temperature" in New South Wales and Sydney, and that these reforms are a necessary step in achieving this goal.
Current Gun Laws in NSW
The current gun laws in NSW allow individuals to own an uncapped number of firearms, with some owners registered to hold over 200 guns. According to NSW Police data, there are over 1.1 million firearms registered in the state, with more than 50 individuals owning over 100 firearms. This lack of restriction has raised concerns about public safety and the potential for guns to fall into the wrong hands. The proposed reforms aim to address this issue and bring NSW’s gun laws more in line with other states, such as Western Australia, which has a limit on the number of firearms an individual can own.
National Response
The announcement of the proposed gun reforms in NSW comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an urgent meeting of national cabinet to discuss gun reform. The meeting resulted in an agreement to bolster rules around gun ownership, including the acceleration of a national firearms register and the consideration of making Australian citizenship a condition of a gun licence. Australia’s gun laws are considered some of the strictest in the world, and were introduced by the Howard government after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The current reforms aim to build on these existing laws and further improve public safety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proposed gun reforms in NSW are a necessary step in addressing the current lack of restrictions on gun ownership in the state. The reforms, which include limits on the number of firearms a licensed shooter can own and the reclassification of straight shotguns, aim to improve public safety and prevent similar incidents to the Bondi terror attack. The government’s consideration of measures to restrict protest activity during terror threats is also a necessary step in reducing the risk of community disharmony and preventing the escalation of tensions. As the parliament prepares to sit and discuss the proposed reforms, it is clear that the government is taking a proactive approach to addressing the issue of gun ownership and public safety in NSW.
