Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold has urged licensed firearms owners across NSW not to rush into surrendering their firearms as the Minns and Albanese Labor governments' controversial gun buyback begins today.
Ms Penfold said the scheme was fundamentally unfair, punishing responsible firearms owners rather than targeting criminals, organised crime gangs and the illegal firearms trade.
She said her message to licensed firearms owners was simple: “don't rush to hand over your firearms, know your rights, understand your options and get advice before making a decision you cannot reverse”.
“The buyback is scheduled to run for 12 months, and the new ownership limits and reclassifications affecting existing owners have not yet commenced,” Ms Penfold said.
“There is no need to panic.
“Importantly, NSW goes to the polls on 13 March next year, well before the buyback closes.
“The Nationals have opposed these laws at both State and Federal levels; we remain committed to their repeal, and changing the Minns Labor Government in March is central to that effort.”
Ms Penfold said the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion's interim report had raised serious questions about the justification for sweeping new firearms restrictions following the Bondi terrorist attack.
She said the Royal Commission found no gaps in existing laws or regulations which prevented authorities from taking action which may have stopped the Bondi massacre.
“Why then is Labor imposing sweeping restrictions on law-abiding gun owners when our first priority should be addressing failures in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism coordination and enforcement?” Ms Penfold said.
“Premier Minns and his Labor and Greens allies keep telling Australians there are more firearms in Australia today than before the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
“What they conveniently leave out is that Australia's population has grown by more than 50 per cent, while the estimated number of firearms has increased by less than 30 per cent.
“Nor should the legitimate reasons for firearms ownership be dismissed, including increasing demand for feral pest control and the important role of sporting shooting and recreational hunting
“Instead of counting the guns in the safes of law-abiding Australians, Labor should be concentrating on how illegal firearms are entering the country and ending up in the hands of criminals and organised crime gangs.
“The problem is people with evil intentions, not responsible farmers, hunters and sporting shooters who obey the law.”
Ms Penfold said the laws demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of regional Australia, where firearms were essential tools for farming, pest management and animal welfare, as well as legitimate sporting activities.
“Across Lyne, farmers are dealing with feral pigs, wild dogs and deer that damage crops, destroy the environment and threaten livestock,” she said.
“These are people who meet licensing requirements, submit to background checks and comply with strict storage rules.
“Yet they are being made to pay the price for the crimes of terrorists and organised crime gangs.
“Now they face surrendering legally acquired property, potentially for compensation well below its actual value.
“For those forced to surrender firearms under Labor's restrictions, this is compulsory acquisition dressed up as a voluntary buyback.”
Ms Penfold said the Nationals supported stronger border enforcement, action against illegal firearms trafficking and tougher measures to disrupt organised crime, while respecting legitimate firearms ownership.
She said Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie had already introduced Federal legislation to repeal Labor's firearms changes and abolish the national buyback.
“Changing these laws will require political determination, and our immediate focus is on replacing the Minns Labor Government at the March state election,” Ms Penfold said.
“At a Federal level, our determination is just as strong. We want to replace the Albanese Labor Government with one that understands regional Australia and can restore economic discipline, back small businesses and protect our way of life.
“The Nationals have the policies, experience and determination to fix these problems.
“We need governments which target criminals, respect law-abiding citizens and stop punishing Australians who have done nothing wrong.”
ENDS