Key Takeaways
- The New South Wales Parliament has passed a bill to tighten gun laws and restrict protests following the Bondi Beach terror attack
- The bill passed the Upper House with 18 votes to 8, with the Liberals voting in favor and the Nationals voting against
- The legislation restricts individual gun owners to a maximum of four firearms, with exceptions for primary producers and sports shooters
- Magazine capacity will be reduced, and a stronger vetting process will be introduced, with gun licenses needing to be renewed every two years
- The laws also grant police powers to remove face coverings at public assemblies and restrict protest activity
Introduction to the Bill
The New South Wales Parliament has passed a contentious bill to reform gun laws and restrict protests, following a marathon debate that stretched into the early hours of Christmas Eve. The bill, which was introduced in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack, aims to tighten gun laws and give police extraordinary powers to restrict protests. The legislation passed the Upper House with 18 votes to 8, with the Liberals voting in favor of the bill and the Nationals voting against it. The Shooters Party and other crossbench MPs also voted against the bill, while the Greens abstained, citing concerns about the restrictions on protests.
The Legislation
The bill introduces a number of significant changes to gun laws in New South Wales. Individual gun owners will be restricted to a maximum of four firearms, with exceptions for primary producers, such as farmers, and sports shooters, who will be limited to 10 firearms. The legislation also reduces the magazine capacity of Class A and B weapons, from unlimited to five to 10 rounds. Additionally, a stronger vetting process will be introduced, with gun licenses needing to be renewed every two years, instead of the current five years. These changes aim to reduce the number of guns in circulation and prevent further harm.
Protest Restrictions
The bill also introduces new restrictions on protest activity, granting police powers to remove face coverings at public assemblies. Currently, a police officer can only remove a face covering at a public assembly if they believe an indictable offence is being committed. The new laws will give police greater powers to monitor and control protests, which has raised concerns among civil liberties groups. The Greens, who abstained from voting on the bill, argued that the restrictions on protests were an "assault on democratic rights." However, the government argues that the new laws are necessary to prevent violent protests and ensure public safety.
Reaction to the Bill
The reaction to the bill has been mixed, with some gun control advocates welcoming the changes as a step in the right direction. A gun control researcher noted that the proposed firearm restrictions would go far to reduce the growing number of guns across the state and prevent further harm. However, others have expressed concerns about the impact of the laws on law-abiding gun owners and the potential for the laws to be used to restrict legitimate protest activity. The Nationals, who voted against the bill, argued that the laws would unfairly target rural communities and do little to address the root causes of terrorism.
Amendments and Next Steps
During the debate, the Greens moved a key amendment tightening access to firearms permits for those with suspected terrorist links. The amendment was passed with unanimous support across both houses of parliament, and is seen as a significant step towards preventing individuals with terrorist links from accessing firearms. The legislation will now return to the Lower House, where it is expected to be rubber-stamped later in the day. Once passed, the new laws will come into effect, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to gun control and protest regulation. As the debate around the bill continues, it remains to be seen how the new laws will be implemented and what impact they will have on communities across New South Wales.