National Gun Buyback, Commencing Today, Already Facing “Serious Problems”

The NSW Greens have vocalised their support for Australia’s National Gun Buyback Scheme, commencing today, with the caveat of a few major concerns. 

Under the scheme, eligible firearms licence holders are being provided a clear and safe pathway to surrender surplus and reclassified firearms and receive compensation under a fixed price schedule, with up to 274,000 firearms expected to be returned in NSW.

NSW Greens Says Gun Buyback Is Already Facing “Serious Problems”

While NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson has welcomed this national response to the Bondi terror attack last year, the MP has since voiced serious concerns around limited bookings, poor regional access, and the Government’s simultaneous rollout of military-style firearms to police on Sydney streets.

“There are serious problems with the buyback,” said Higginson. “Every available appointment is already booked, yet only 2,430 firearms are scheduled for surrender out of a potential 274,000. The Government needs to urgently expand the capacity of the scheme.

“Across the entire NSW coast north of Sydney, only Grafton Police Station is accepting returns. There are no stations available through the Mid North Coast, Hunter or Central Coast. If we want people to surrender their guns, we need to make it possible for them to do so.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley urged participants of the gun buyback to continue making use of the existing channels and called for patience among those still waiting for an available appointment.

“I can’t stress this enough,” Catley said, “gun owners must continue to make appointments at participating police stations to surrender. Please do not walk into a police station with weapons without an appointment. The Buyback runs for 12 months, there is enough time for everyone to participate.”

NSW Greens Say Sydney Armed Response Command Is The Opposite Of Gun Control

Alongside criticising the scheme’s inaccessibility, Sue Higginson argued Sydney’s new Armed Response Command (ARC) is sending the wrong message if demilitarising Sydney’s streets is truly a priority.

“I am hearing from people in the community who see the extraordinary hypocrisy of this Government, that on the very weekend the gun buyback commences, police have beefed up their force and are now carrying military-style assault rifles on Sydney streets,” said Higginson.

“The increasing militarisation of our police is deeply concerning and the Government needs to understand that armed police patrolling public spaces do not make people safer. Fewer guns in our community must mean fewer guns on our streets, including in the hands of police.”

“I can’t stress this enough: Gun owners must continue to make appointments at participating police stations to surrender. Please do not walk into a police station with weapons without an appointment. The Buyback runs for 12 months, there is enough time for everyone to participate.”