The Minns Labor Government is launching the biggest firearms buyback in NSW in a generation, with eligible firearms licence holders able to book now to surrender eligible firearms and ammunition, helping get dangerous guns off our streets and make communities safer.
The National Gun Buyback Scheme in NSW will begin on 2 November, giving eligible firearms licence holders a clear and safe pathway to surrender surplus and reclassified firearms and receive compensation under a fixed price schedule.
The scheme is about reducing the number of firearms in circulation and ensuring weapons that are no longer permitted are safely removed from the community and destroyed.
The buyback forms part of the Government’s broader firearms reforms focused on strengthening gun laws, reducing the number of firearms in circulation and keeping the community safe.
Following the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in which 15 innocent people were killed, the NSW Government passed the toughest reforms to gun laws in a generation – a suite of measures to increase oversight, reduce risk and reduce the number of guns in the community.
The reforms include:
- increased compliance for gun owners through mandatory safe storage checks before a permit to acquire a firearm is issued;
- requiring licence holders to be a member of an approved gun club;
- requiring all gun clubs to use the Gun Safe online platform instead of relying on paper systems;
- strengthened identity proofing processes;
- reducing the licence period from five to two years;
- removing the NCAT appeal pathway for most licensing decisions;
- reclassifying some types of guns; and
- capping the number of guns an individual can own.
Licence holders with the genuine reason of recreational hunting / vermin control are limited to four guns per licence holder. Those with a genuine reason of sport/target shooting, vertebrate pest animal control, business or employment, primary production, or animal welfare, are limited to 10 guns per licence holder.
Eligible licence holders will receive correspondence from the NSW Firearms Registry today, outlining the booking process.
Eligible licence holders must make a booking via the Gun Safe portal. Walk-ins to surrender at police stations will not be accepted.
From Monday, 2 November the below stations will accept surrenders:
- Sutherland Police Station
- Penrith Police Station
- Narellan Police Station
- Grafton Police Station
- Griffith Police Station
- Dubbo Police Station
A further 34 stations will participate from Tuesday, 1 December and more will accept surrenders from January onwards.
The National Gun Buyback Scheme in NSW will be open for 12 months to give eligible licence holders the opportunity to participate.
Approximately 18% of licence holders will be eligible to participate in the Buyback Scheme in NSW and up to 274,000 firearms could be returned in NSW under the Scheme.
Anyone who is uncertain how to participate, should visit National Gun Buyback Scheme – NSW Police Public Site or call the Gun Buyback number on 1800 131 555 (between Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm).
The NSW Government will also consult on limited and exceptional circumstances where certain types of licence holders can apply to the Commissioner of Police for additional firearms above the 10 gun limit.
Under this draft proposal, the only licence holders who may be eligible to apply for additional firearms through this process are licence holders with the genuine reason of sport/target shooting; vertebrate pest animal control; or business/employment, and they will have to explain to NSW Police the genuine need for each additional firearm over the cap.
The NSW Police Force will shortly be undertaking targeted consultation on the Regulation that enables that application process.
The buyback is supported by the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, with recommendation 14 of the interim report stating: “The establishment of a gun buyback scheme could reasonably be expected to reduce the number of firearms available in the community.”
The Minns Labor Government has invested $42.8 million into the NSW Firearms Registry, including additional staff and system upgrades, to support the implementation of our reforms.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“Fewer guns in the community mean a safer community. It means fewer guns at risk to fall into the wrong hands. It’s that simple.
“After 15 innocent people were killed at Bondi, we had to act and we did. We’ve strengthened gun laws, increased oversight and reduced risk.
“These are tough decisions but this is a Government that puts community safety first. Our position has never wavered, unlike the Liberals who voted for tough gun control then backflipped to chase One Nation votes.
“The Buyback is a significant undertaking in public safety. NSW Police across the state are well placed and trained to safely and securely deal with the surrender and destruction of firearms.
“I ask eligible licence holders to follow the instructions being sent out today and I thank the NSW Police for their efforts in implementing this scheme and keeping us safe.”
Media Release: Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley
