2026-11-02
The NSW Greens have welcomed the start of the gun buyback today, with up to 274,000 firearms eligible for surrender. However, serious concerns have emerged about limited bookings, poor regional access and the Government's simultaneous rollout of military-style firearms to police on Sydney streets.
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:
"There are more than 1.1 million registered firearms in NSW. That is far too many guns in our community, and it is good that this buyback is finally underway,”
"The Minns Government must stand strong against the gun lobby, the Liberals and One Nation. Kellie Sloane leader of the coalition supported stronger gun laws before backflipping for political opportunism,”
"There are serious problems with the buyback. 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,”
"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,”
"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," Ms Higginson said.