Labor Announces $40 Million Investment to Overhaul NSW Firearms Registry
The New South Wales Labor government has announced a $39.3 million investment to address critical failings in the state’s firearms registry, following the Bondi shooting terror attack in December 2025. Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the registry as a shambles between 2020 and 2023, citing severe backlogs and processing delays of up to three years. The funding will support the recruitment of 22 additional staff, system digitization upgrades, and stricter licensing regulations. New measures include reducing license validity from five to two years, capping firearm ownership numbers, and mandating comprehensive audits of existing licenses. The reforms aim to enhance community safety and improve oversight of gun owners, particularly in light of concerns regarding extremism and sovereign citizens. The announcement follows reports that warnings about extremist signs within gun clubs were previously ignored by police officials. Premier Chris Minns emphasized that these changes represent the toughest gun law reforms in a generation, ensuring the system has the capacity to enforce rigorous checks on genuine reasons for ownership and citizenship requirements.
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Labor Announces $40 Million Investment to Overhaul NSW Firearms Registry
The New South Wales Labor government has announced a $39.3 million investment to address critical failings in the state’s firearms registry, following the Bondi shooting terror attack in December 2025. Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the registry as a shambles between 2020 and 2023, citing severe backlogs and processing delays of up to three years. The funding will support the recruitment of 22 additional staff, system digitization upgrades, and stricter licensing regulations. New measures include reducing license validity from five to two years, capping firearm ownership numbers, and mandating comprehensive audits of existing licenses. The reforms aim to enhance community safety and improve oversight of gun owners, particularly in light of concerns regarding extremism and sovereign citizens. The announcement follows reports that warnings about extremist signs within gun clubs were previously ignored by police officials. Premier Chris Minns emphasized that these changes represent the toughest gun law reforms in a generation, ensuring the system has the capacity to enforce rigorous checks on genuine reasons for ownership and citizenship requirements.
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