‘Stunning backflip’: NSW opposition criticised for pledge to scrap gun buyback scheme if elected

The New South Wales opposition has pledged to freeze the state's gun buyback scheme and scrap firearm ownership caps if elected next year. According to NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, this plan would leave more guns in circulation. The buyback scheme, set to begin on November 2, aims to provide compensation to licence holders for firearms under new ownership limits and the reclassification of certain weapons.

The state Liberals, who previously voted with the government in support of gun ownership caps and a buyback scheme, are now vowing to unwind these restrictions. The party's leader, Kellie Sloane, stated that any changes would depend on the results of a commission of inquiry into firearms legislation. Catley described the move as a "backflip" by the Liberals.

The New South Wales government had introduced the gun buyback scheme and ownership limits following the Bondi Beach terror attack on April 13, 2024, is not mentioned however December 14, 2025 is. The state Liberals' decision has been criticised by Catley, who believes that the changes would lead to weaker gun laws in the state.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia, ABC News AU — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.