PHIL DONATO
MEMBER FOR ORANGE
THE New South Wales Government’s proposed firearms buyback raises a basic question for licensed firearm owners: what is their property actually worth?
From 2 November, reportedly 274,000 firearms and 50,000 licence holders are expected to be affected.
These are people who bought their firearms legally, paid their fees, complied with storage laws and followed the rules.
Now they are being forced to surrender that property, with compensation reportedly starting at about $450 for an air rifle and $1000 for a centrefire firearm.
The problem is simple: fixed compensation does not necessarily reflect market value.
A firearm worth $2000, $4000 or more does not suddenly become worth $1000 because the Government puts it in a particular category.
A second phase may provide up to $10,000 for some higher-value firearms, but many questions remain.
What is a “higher-value” firearm? Who decides? How is it valued? And what right does an owner have to challenge the assessment?
These are not minor details. They concern people’s lawfully purchased property and, in some cases, thousands of dollars.
There is now further uncertainty over ammunition.
During budget estimates last week, Premier Chris Minns ruled out compensation for firearms accessories and reloading equipment, while announcing that ammunition will now be included in the buyback.
So how will ammunition be valued, and what compensation will owners receive?
Many licensed firearm owners have significant amounts of ammunition lawfully purchased for their firearms. Others have invested heavily in reloading equipment and components.
I remain vehemently opposed to this unjust buyback, which is more like legislated theft!
However, I will be seeking clear answers from the Government about how ammunition will be valued and compensated.
Firearms dealers face their own financial uncertainty. Many have hundreds of thousands of dollars legitimately invested in stock purchased under the rules set by Government.
I’ve lobbied the NSW Government all year for financial support of our local gun shops – many of which are small family-owned operations, however it has fallen on deaf ears.
The Government wasted no time providing immediate financial assistance to businesses of Bondi in the wake of the tragedy, but they ignored the gun shops.
A grant of up to $25,000 is now finally being offered, but is of little comfort to businesses which are carrying that level of investment.
If Government changes the rules, small businesses should not be left carrying the cost.
The biggest question is whether this enormous expenditure will tackle the problem it claims to address.
Licensed firearm owners are already known to authorities. Their firearms are registered, their storage is regulated and they are subject to strict licensing requirements.
They are not the people driving the illegal firearms trade.
If the Government wants to reduce firearm crime, it should focus on criminals, trafficking networks, illegal imports and the supply of prohibited firearms to the black market.
Before the scheme begins, the Government owes owners, dealers and taxpayers some straightforward answers.
How were compensation figures calculated? How will market value be determined? What appeal rights will owners have? How will ammunition be valued? What support will dealers receive? And what measurable reduction in firearm crime will taxpayers get for a program that will likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars?
Law-abiding people should not be expected to accept cents on the dollar for property they were legally allowed to buy yesterday simply because Government has changed the rules today.
If this massive expenditure is justified, the Government must show that it will do more than collect firearms. It must show how it will make the community safer.