Key Takeaways
- The NSW Government is introducing new laws to restrict access to high-risk weapons and strengthen oversight of firearms ownership.
- The reforms include capping the number of firearms per individual, reclassifying certain firearms, and reducing magazine capacity.
- The new laws will also strengthen firearms licence checks and accountability, and improve storage and compliance requirements.
- A comprehensive buyback scheme will be implemented to encourage gun owners to hand back guns that will no longer be legal.
- The NSW Government will also consult on controlling access to other dangerous weapons, such as knives and bladed articles.
Introduction to the Reforms
The NSW Government has announced a series of reforms in response to a recent attack, where the offender brought multiple firearms into a public place. The reforms aim to limit access to high-risk weapons, strengthen oversight, and put community safety first. If passed, these reforms will ensure that NSW has the toughest laws in the country when it comes to firearms. The new laws are designed to reduce the risk of similar attacks occurring in the future and to protect the community.
Details of the Reforms
The new laws will include a range of measures to restrict access to high-risk weapons. These include capping the number of firearms per individual, with strict exemptions for primary producers and sports shooters. The reforms will also reclassify certain firearms, such as straight-pull/pump-action and button/lever release firearms, into Category C, limiting their access primarily to primary producers. Additionally, the reforms will reduce magazine capacity for Category A and B firearms to a maximum of five to ten rounds, from a current unlimited capacity. A complete ban will also be introduced on firearms that can use belt-fed magazines.
Strengthening Firearms Licence Checks and Accountability
The reforms will also strengthen firearms licence checks and accountability. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) review pathway will be removed, ensuring that sensitive police intelligence can be used without concern that a decision will be overturned by a tribunal. A robust internal review process will be retained to ensure fairness and accountability. The standard firearms licence term will be reduced from five years to two years, increasing the frequency of safety and suitability checks. Firearms licences will be restricted to Australian citizens only, with a carve-out for New Zealand permanent residents engaged in roles such as primary production or security.
Improving Storage and Compliance
The reforms will also improve storage and compliance requirements. Gun club membership will be made mandatory for all firearms licence holders, with the ability to exempt certain licence holders in the regulations. All gun clubs will be required to use the GunSafe online platform to improve record-keeping, compliance, and traceability of club membership and activities. Safe storage inspections will be made mandatory prior to the issue of a first permit to acquire a firearm, and individuals will need to meet safe keeping requirements before obtaining a permit to acquire a firearm.
Additional Measures
In addition to the new legislation, the Government will move quickly on a range of practical changes. These include expanding disqualifying offences in the regulations, increasing the use of criminal intelligence in firearms licensing decisions, and conducting a comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences. A comprehensive buyback scheme will also be implemented, with further details to be announced before the changes are in force. The NSW buyback scheme will be operated and funded in partnership with the Federal Government and AFP, to encourage gun owners to hand back guns that will no longer be legal, to be destroyed.
Controlling Access to Other Dangerous Weapons
The NSW Government will also consult on controlling access to other dangerous weapons, such as knives and bladed articles. This will include considering whether further knives or bladed articles should be made prohibited weapons under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998, as well as how knives are stored in retail settings. The Government is committed to taking a comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of violence in the community.
Conclusion
The NSW Government’s reforms are a significant step towards reducing the risk of violence in the community. By restricting access to high-risk weapons, strengthening oversight, and improving storage and compliance requirements, the Government is putting community safety first. The comprehensive buyback scheme and consultation on controlling access to other dangerous weapons demonstrate the Government’s commitment to taking a comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of violence. As NSW Premier Chris Minns said, "Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can’t fail to act on restricting access to weapons which could lead to further violence against our citizens."