NSW Liberals' plan to unwind gun reforms a dangerous step backwards

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is very disappointed and concerned by the NSW Liberal Party’s backflip on firearm safety. 

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has promised to halt the state's gun buyback, due to begin on 2 November, until a commission of inquiry has reported back, and to remove ownership limits for primary producers and sporting shooters. This is despite the Liberal Party voting with the Government to support firearm caps and the buyback last year following the Bondi Beach tragedy. 

The Liberals’ plans to freeze the state’s gun buyback and scrap gun ownership caps for sporting shooters and farmers would unwind reforms supported by the vast majority of voters and put the community at greater risk of harm. Two-thirds of Coalition voters this month reported supporting the tough new gun laws (Resolve Political Monitor for The Sydney Morning Herald). 

The evidence shows that more firearms in the community is directly associated with increased harm. The buyback and ownership caps are designed to reduce the number of firearms in the community, a key factor in the risk of theft, diversion to the illegal market, and firearm-related family violence and suicide. Freezing the scheme and carving out exemptions for entire categories of licence holders would undo the intent of reforms agreed to by National Cabinet after Bondi. 

Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO Sarah Davies AM said the community expected consistency from its political leaders on gun safety, not a retreat six months out from an election. 

“Community safety should never be a political football,” Ms Davies said. “It is extremely disappointing to see that the NSW Liberals have reversed their support for these vital reforms just weeks from the buyback starting. 

“Every firearm removed from the community through the buyback is a firearm that cannot be stolen, diverted or used to harm a child, a family or a community. The community strongly supports these reforms, with the latest polling showing 73 per cent support a four-gun cap and more than half support the buyback.  

“Firearm ownership depends on a genuine public safety test, and that test should hold firm regardless of the electoral cycle. We urge the Liberal Party to reconsider this position and recommit to the reforms it supported only months ago.” 

Senior Advocacy Advisor and Convenor of the Australian Gun Safety Alliance Stephen Bendle said exempting primary producers and sporting shooters from ownership caps would undermine the evidence base for the reforms. 

“Implementing a cap on the total number of firearms an individual can own is a sensible, evidence-based reform that makes a real difference to public safety,” he said. “If one group of licence holders can be exempted for political reasons, it raises the question of who is next. 

“We have seen this pattern before, in Tasmania and in Victoria, where sound, evidence-based reform has been watered down under pressure from the gun lobby. National consistency on firearms only works if every state and every party holds the line.” 

The Foundation is calling on all NSW parties to commit to implementing the firearms reforms agreed to by National Cabinet in full, including the buyback and ownership caps, ahead of the state election. 

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Alannah & Madeline Foundation

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