A recent Budget Estimates hearing with NSW Police Minister Paul Toole revealed that long-awaited changes to firearms regulations could be on their way for farmers and pest controllers. 

A 2020 decision saw the Firearms Act 1996 and Firearms Regulations 2016 reinterpreted, meaning that tighter restrictions were made on farmers and pest animal controllers who could previously access Category D Firearms. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said the demand from gun owners across the Barwon electorate to see their access to the Category D firearms renewed for the sake of their business was high. 

“We’ve just had the most incredible amount of rain across the electorate which is awesome for agriculture, but it’s also awesome for pest species like wild dogs who all thrive after rain like this,” Mr Butler said. 

“Farmers and professional shooters need access to the tools that they use to do their work. At the moment, it’s been incredibly difficult. A traditional category A or B firearm just isn’t going to work because we can’t get the follow up shot off fast enough,” he said. 

The re-interpretation not only limited the category D firearms that were available, but implemented other restrictions such as licence renewal delays, limited licence durations to 12-months, and ‘impossible’ safe storage requirements.

Since the change, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party have been campaigning for the rules to return to how they once were. 

“I would love to say that everything that happens with the registry because of public safety, but I honestly can’t say that…the people who have them not only have to go through the normal vetting process, but they’ve also got to prove that they’ve got a genuine reason to have a category D firearm,” Mr Butler said. 

“I’m prepared to be proven wrong, but I’m not aware of any offence committed by a (Category D) licenced shooter with a registered firearm since the licensing regime came into place,” he said. 

In the Budget Estimates this week, Minister for Police Paul Toole inferred that changes were imminent, making it easier for farmers and wild pest controllers to effectively control invasive species. 

“I also can inform you that there will be a bill that will be coming to the Parliament very shortly in relation to category D firearms. That will see a change in relation to the Firearms Act and the Firearms Regulations,” Mr Toole said. 

“We will also make reforms so they do not have to apply for the category D firearms every 12 months. They will have a choice in relation to their licence period. They will be able to apply for a two-year or even a five-year option as part of renewing their licences.”

Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Robert Borsak said that the announcement would go part of the way towards meeting industry requirements. 

“Let’s see if the promises made by the Minister are reflected in amendments and more to be put to Parliament,” Mr Borsak said.