Arabic version: بدء برنامج إعادة شراء الأسلحة في نيو ساوث ويلز عبر ست محطات للحجز

According to ABC News, New South Wales’ 12-month gun buyback scheme begins today, allowing some licensed firearm owners to surrender weapons at police stations in exchange for payment. The program is part of the national buyback announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the Bondi terrorist attack. NSW and the ACT are the only jurisdictions to have agreed to join the national scheme, while Western Australia ran its own program in 2024.

The Minns and Albanese governments say reducing the number of firearms in the community will lower the risk of misuse or guns falling into the wrong hands. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said more than one gun, on average, is stolen in NSW each day. Critics, however, say the policy unfairly targets licensed owners. Wagga Wagga farmer Alan Brown called the buyback a “knee-jerk response” and said firearms were needed to control feral pests.

Firearm caps are expected to shape demand for the scheme. Recreational hunters will be limited to four guns, while sporting shooters, farmers, vertebrate pest controllers and other professionals will be limited to 10. The limits already apply to people seeking new weapons but have not yet been formalised for existing owners, who are not currently required to surrender guns as regulations and possible exemptions are finalised.

There are no planned exemptions for recreational hunters. The government is proposing that some owners could retain more than 10 firearms with the police commissioner’s permission, including farmers with multiple properties and elite sporting shooters requiring guns for different events. Owners wishing to participate must book through the NSW Police Gun Safe website. Bookings are currently available at Dubbo, Griffith, Grafton, Penrith, Sutherland and Narellan, with another 34 stations due to accept bookings in early December.

During phase one, payments range from $450 to $1,000 depending on the firearm. Phase two next year could offer up to $10,000 for higher-value guns, though details have not been settled. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and One Nation NSW leader Mike Newman have pledged to oppose the caps, with Newman also promising to scrap the buyback.