NSW gun buyback begins as initial appointments fully booked

The scheme, which runs for 12 months, is part of a national buyback that so far only NSW and the Australian Capital Territory have agreed to join. Western Australia conducted its own buyback in 2024. Under phase one, gun owners could receive between $450 and $1,000 depending on the firearm type, with payments of up to $10,000 for higher-value guns on offer under phase two next year, though the details are yet to be worked out.

Proponents of the buyback argue that reducing the number of firearms in the community will reduce the chances of them being misused or falling into the wrong hands. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said “fewer guns in circulation in our community makes for a safer community” and noted that on average more than one legally owned gun is stolen in NSW every day, turning legal firearms into illegal ones.

The scheme caps the number of firearms an individual can own: recreational hunters are limited to four, while sporting shooters, farmers and others can possess up to ten. These caps already apply to new acquisitions but have not yet been formalised for existing gun owners, who are not required to hand in firearms yet, while the government finalises the regulations, including potential exemptions. The government is proposing a mechanism for some owners to keep more than ten firearms with the police commissioner’s permission, but has not released precise criteria. Catley gave examples of a farmer with guns on multiple properties or an elite sport shooter.

NSW Farmers Association president Rebecca Reardon said there were many reasons a farmer might need more than ten firearms. “Whether you're having to shoot from near far, whether it's a small animal, large animal, whether it's moving, whether you're shooting from a helicopter or on the ground, different firearms perform different functions,” she said. “[It is] essential therefore that we have the firearm that is able to do the right job.”

Fourth-generation farmer Alan Brown of Wagga Wagga called the buyback a knee-jerk response. He said feral pests are getting worse and “we absolutely need weapons … to keep the feral pests under control.” He described the compensation offered as “a joke” compared to what most guns are worth, saying people would surrender old rubbish but not good weapons.

The state opposition has hardened its stance since initially backing the premier’s call for tighter gun controls. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane declared it was “absolute bullshit” to suggest the buyback would prevent another Bondi-style attack, and told gun owners: “Hold onto your guns if you don't want to give them away.” The Coalition has vowed to scrap the caps for farmers and sporting shooters if elected. “The real enemy on our streets at the moment are organised criminals and terrorists,” Sloane said. One Nation’s NSW leader Mike Newman has also promised to abolish the caps and scrap the buyback entirely.

Registered gun owners wishing to surrender a firearm must book an appointment via the NSW Police Gun Safe website. Currently only six police stations, Dubbo, Griffith, Grafton, Penrith, Sutherland and Narellan, are accepting bookings, and Catley said all available appointments had been filled. An additional 34 stations will start accepting bookings in early December.