Following the tragic terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in December of 2025, the NSW Parliament has moved to tighten its existing gun laws and reduce the risk of mass violence.
The new laws will include:
Capping and restricting the number and types of firearms:
- Imposing a cap of four firearms per individual, with strict exemptions for primary producers and sports shooters.
- Introducing a complete ban on firearms that can use belt-fed magazines.
- Reducing certain guns’ capacities and reclassifying certain guns to reduce access.
Strengthening firearms licence checks and accountability:
- Removing the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) review pathway, meaning that members will only 28 days to seek an Internal Review if they receive a notice from Registry.
- Reducing standard firearms licence terms from five years to two years, increasing the frequency of safety and suitability checks.
- Restricting firearms licences to Australian citizens only.
- Replace a current exemption allowing unlicensed shooting at shooting ranges with a robust NSWPF permit system.
As well as strengthening membership, record-keeping and storage requirements, and tightening rules in relation to deceased estates.
In addition to new legislation, the Government will move quickly on a range of practical changes, including:
- Expanding disqualifying offences in the regulations, including personal and domestic violence offences within the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007.
- Increasing the use of criminal intelligence in firearms licensing decisions.
- A comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences, prioritising higher-risk cases, noting that licence holders will now be subject to scrutiny on reapplication every two years, instead of five years.
Buyback Scheme NSW
A comprehensive buyback scheme will accompany these changes and the NSW Government will move to control access to all dangerous weapons – not just guns, particularly around further knives or bladed articles.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can’t fail to act on restricting access to weapons which could lead to further violence against our citizens.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“Owning a firearm is a privilege, not a right and we are balancing that privilege with the overwhelming need for public safety.”
After being assented on the 24th of December 2025, these laws are now in effect in NSW.
If you are a current gun owner and want assistance understanding your new rights and obligations under this Amendment, you can contact us on 0421 700 497 for a free Ask Arthur Consultation with one of our senior criminal defence lawyers.
Written by Ruby Bickford.
