NSW launches gun buyback scheme in wake of Bondi terror attack

NSW gun buyback scheme to reduce number of firearms after Bondi terror attack In short: New South Wales will become the first state to begin a gun buyback scheme announced following the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack. As many as 274,000 firearms — about a quarter of those registered in NSW — and 50,000 licence holders are estimated to be affected by the reforms. What's next? The scheme begins in November, with shooters to be compensated up to $10,000 per firearm. New South Wales will become the first state to begin a gun buyback scheme promised in the wake of last year's Bondi terror attack, with shooters to be compensated up to $10,000 per firearm. The push to strengthen Australia's gun laws was the first commitment made by the Commonwealth following the December 14 attack on Sydney's Jewish community, in which 15 people were killed. From November 2, those who exceed new limits on the number of firearms a person can possess, or whose licences will no longer allow them to have certain types, can surrender their guns for payment. As many as 274,000 firearms — about a quarter of those registered in NSW — and 50,000 licence holders are estimated to be affected by the state's gun reforms. "We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed," NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement on Saturday night. "This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales." In December, NSW brought in acquisition limits of four firearms for most licence holders, and 10 firearms for others, like farmers and sports shooters. Firearms that are quicker to reload, such as those with a straight-pull action, were reclassified to require a more restricted licence, but those changes are yet to take effect. Compensation for gun owners In the initial stage of the buyback, there will be a fixed price schedule ranging from $450 for an air rifle to $1,000 for a centre-fire rifle or revolver. From early next year, owners of more expensive firearms with an "indicative market value above $3,000" can apply for compensation, which will be capped at $10,000 per gun. There will be a flat fee for associated ammunition handed in. Grants of up to $25,000 and licence fee relief worth $500 will be available to dealers. | Firearms type | Firearms Sub-type | Compensation | |---|---|---| | Handgun | Revolver | $1,000 | | Semi-auto | $850 | | | Shotgun | Double barrel | $850 | | Single barrel | $650 | | | Rifle | Rim-fire | $600 | | Centrefire | $1,000 | | | Air rifle | $450 | While the Commonwealth will foot the cost of destroying the surrendered firearms, the buyback and administration expenses will be funded evenly between the state and federal governments. "We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn't happen again," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. "That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform." But the buybacks will not be implemented nationwide, with most other jurisdictions opposed or uncommitted to the scheme. Queensland and Victoria have outright rejected the measure. While South Australia flagged "in principle" support for a buyback in January, it has since said it has no plans to change firearms laws. The Northern Territory said it would not contribute any funds towards a buyback. Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have committed to the national scheme, but negotiations about funding remain ongoing. While Western Australia completed its own two-year buyback scheme in January, it said it was "keen" to participate in a national one. The NSW agreement comes several months after the federal government missed its own March deadline to agree with states and territories on firearm reforms. A national buyback scheme was recommended in the royal commission on antisemitism's interim report in April, with the Commonwealth and states and territories urged to "prioritise efforts" to implement it. After a One Nation-led community forum in Central NSW on Saturday afternoon ahead of the announcement, leader Pauline Hanson reiterated her general opposition to any gun buyback scheme, in response to an ABC reporter. "I don't think there should be a buyback. These are law-abiding Australians that want their guns,"she said. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, who also attended the forum, said such a scheme would be "an intrusion of the state into the right of the individual". "Why are we buying back rifles from people who have never committed a crime? Are you going to start buying back golf clubs?" he told the ABC.