The announcement of the NSW Gun Buyback Scheme is the latest disaster in the Federal and State Labor Governments’ targeted attack on law-abiding gun owners.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP said the rushed introduction of new firearms laws without consultation or due consideration following the Bondi terrorist attack had already caused significant problems and confusion for farmers, firearm shop owners and sporting shooters.
“I have spoken to firearm shop owners who are looking at millions of dollars worth of losses,” Mr Chaffey said.
“A maximum of $25,000 will go nowhere near compensating small business owners – some of them generational business owners – who are already looking at massive losses due to orders that will no longer be picked up, items that are already in stock, and customers who no longer know what is legal and what is not.
“This offer is a cruel pittance that will not save businesses who have lost up to 90 per cent of gun sales in past months.
“The NSW peak farmers’ body, NSW Farmers, have called this buyback ‘a disgrace’ that is punishing hardworking farmers who will not receive ‘full and fair compensation’ for firearms, equipment and ammunition.
“The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW says the buyback announcement raises more questions than answers. They continue to lobby for the unfair gun laws to be repealed.
“This buyback scheme clearly shows the Labor State and Federal governments do not know and do not care about the financial implications of these laws on lawful gun owners right across Australia.
“The Nationals have introduced legislation in Parliament to repeal the unfair federal laws that were rushed through Federal Parliament in January. The Nationals are the only party to address this at a legislative level. The Bill will restore Commonwealth firearms and importation laws to where they stood before Labor’s changes, and abolish Labor’s stalled National Gun Buyback Scheme.
“NSW is the only state that has announced the buyback to date, and we can already see how inadequate the measures are.
“This is about fairness, evidence and getting the balance right. Target terrorists and criminals, enforce the laws we already have, but don’t make law-abiding Australians pay the price for crimes they did not commit.”
ENDS
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au