Member for Orange Philip Donato MP
The NSW Government’s firearms buyback scheme announced has raised serious concerns over compensation, the treatment of licensed firearms owners and dealers, and nothing to back-up their assertion this program will actually address illegal firearms and firearm-related crime.
The scheme is expected to commence on 2 November, with approximately 274,000 firearms and 50,000 licence holders expected to be affected.
Independent NSW MP Phil Donato said the announcement represented another major burden being placed on people who had done nothing wrong.
“These are law-abiding people who have complied with the rules, paid their fees, stored their firearms properly and followed the law. They are now being told that property they lawfully purchased can be taken from them – in most cases for well below its market value.”
The fixed compensation arrangements are expected to range from approximately $450 for an air rifle to $1,000 for centre-fire firearms, with handguns also included in the scheme.
“The government needs to explain how it arrived at these figures. A fixed payment of $450 or $1,000 does not necessarily reflect what these firearms are actually worth,” said Mr Donato.