Liberals pledge to pause NSW gun buyback and review firearms rules
NSW Opposition leader Kellie Sloane announced that the Liberal Party would freeze the upcoming gun buyback and launch a commission of inquiry into firearms crime.
Kellie Sloane, leader of the NSW Opposition, presented a Liberal proposal to halt the state’s gun buyback program, originally set to start on November 2, and to establish a commission of inquiry into firearms crime. The party argues that the buyback should be delayed until the inquiry’s recommendations are implemented, ensuring targeted compensation and the inclusion of ammunition and accessories. Liberals intend to scrap Labor’s caps on firearm ownership for primary producers and competitive shooters, while increasing resources for the NSW Firearms Registry and police commands tasked with disrupting illegal gun networks.
They also seek to raise the maximum sentence for gun trafficking from 20 years to life imprisonment, with mandatory terms for illegal possession. Yasmin Catley, NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister, denounced the proposal as a “stunning backflip” that would leave more weapons in circulation and undo protections introduced after the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape NSW’s gun control framework and affect public safety after a recent mass-shooting.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the same basic proposal to pause the NSW gun buyback and review firearms rules, differing only in minor wording choices.
LEFT
Frames the Liberal proposal as a reversal of previous gun-control measures, highlighting criticism that it would leave more weapons circulating and stressing the need to combat organised crime.
CENTER
Frames the pledge as a political promise to freeze the buyback pending a commission of inquiry, noting the criticism of a “backflip” and the upcoming election context.
RIGHT
Frames the proposal as a reasoned policy shift, emphasizing the need to delay the buyback until an inquiry’s recommendations, targeted compensation, and tougher penalties for gun trafficking.
The left emphasises
- calls the plan a “stunning backflip”
- argues it would leave more weapons in circulation
- positions the changes as necessary to combat organised crime
The right emphasises
- argues the buyback should be delayed until the inquiry’s recommendations
- mentions targeted compensation and inclusion of ammunition and accessories
- highlights plans to raise gun-trafficking penalties to life imprisonment
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