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<\/p>\nNew 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
As many as 274,000 firearms \u2014 about a quarter of those registered in NSW \u2014 and 50,000 licence holders are estimated to be affected by the state’s gun reforms.<\/p>\n
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The buyback scheme will start on November 2. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
“We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
“This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales.”<\/p>\n
In December, NSW brought in acquisition limits of four firearms for most licence holders, and 10 firearms for others, like farmers and sports shooters.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Compensation for gun owners<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
There will be a flat fee for associated ammunition handed in.<\/p>\n
Grants of up to $25,000 and licence fee relief worth $500 will be available to dealers.<\/p>\n
Firearms typeFirearms Sub-typeCompensationHandgunRevolver$1,000Semi-auto$850ShotgunDouble barrel$850Single barrel$650RifleRim-fire$600Centrefire$1,000Air rifle$450<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform.”<\/p>\n
But the buybacks will not be implemented nationwide, with most other jurisdictions opposed or uncommitted to the scheme.<\/p>\n
Queensland and Victoria have outright rejected the measure.<\/p>\n
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The scheme was announced after the Bondi Beach terror attack where 15 people died. (AAP: Dean Lewins)<\/p>\n
While South Australia flagged “in principle” support for a buyback in January, it has since said it has no plans to change firearms laws.<\/p>\n
The Northern Territory said it would not contribute any funds towards a buyback.<\/p>\n
Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have committed to the national scheme, but negotiations about funding remain ongoing.<\/p>\n
While Western Australia completed its own two-year buyback scheme in January, it said it was “keen” to participate in a national one.<\/p>\n
The NSW agreement comes several months after the federal government missed its own March deadline<\/a> to agree with states and territories on firearm reforms.<\/p>\n