Gun owners in New South Wales are being urged by firearm advocacy groups to delay surrendering their weapons until after the state election in March, amid significant political opposition to a newly announced firearms buyback scheme. The scheme, set to begin on November 2, was introduced following the Bondi terror attack and is intended to reduce the number of firearms in circulation by enforcing ownership caps.
The buyback will initially operate through just six stations across New South Wales, with one in each police region. The central metropolitan area, which includes Sydney, will have its surrender station located in Sutherland. The limited number of locations has drawn criticism from regional representatives and gun owner groups, who say it will impose significant travel burdens on rural residents.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has committed the state to the national buyback initiative, which remains unique to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The scheme follows legislation passed shortly after the Bondi incident that capped gun ownership at four firearms for most individuals and up to ten for primary producers. Gun owners holding more firearms than the caps allow will be required to surrender the excess weapons. Compensation offered will be substantially below market value, with revolvers and center-fire rifles capped at $1,000.
Political support for the buyback is sharply divided ahead of the March election. The Nationals and Liberals have expressed strong opposition; the Liberals have withdrawn previous support and intend to join the Nationals in moving a disallowance motion against the scheme in the NSW parliament. One Nation has pledged to scrap the buyback entirely if elected. Shooters’ Union president Graham Park stated his organization is encouraging members to retain firearms until after the election, suggesting the scheme’s future is contingent on the electoral outcome.
NSW Nationals leader Dugald Singh criticized the scheme as “legislated theft,” highlighting the logistical challenges posed by the limited surrender points, particularly for regional gun owners who may face traveling hundreds of kilometers to comply.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley defended the program, emphasizing the government's response to the Bondi attack and warning that a change in government could endanger essential community safety laws. She also noted opposition parties’ changed stance on the legislation, which they had previously supported.
Though the buyback scheme is coordinated with the federal government, implementation will be predominantly managed by New South Wales authorities. Costs are to be shared between the state and Commonwealth, while the Australian Federal Police will handle the destruction of surrendered firearms.
Other states and territories have largely declined participation in the national buyback, with Queensland, the Northern Territory, and South Australia rejecting the program. The ACT is the only other jurisdiction to join NSW but has not yet announced a start date. Tasmania is pursuing its own buyback without ownership caps, and Western Australia completed a separate scheme earlier in 2026.