News
4 November, 2026
Delays at Firearms Registry having a real impact: MP
Delays at the NSW Firearms Registry are having a real impact on people’s livelihoods according to Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman.
Delays at the NSW Firearms Registry are having a real impact on people’s livelihoods according to Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman.
Mrs Tuckerman said she had made “countless” representations on behalf of local shooters, farmers, primary producers, sporting clubs and firearms licence holders frustrated over “extraordinary” delays.
She said the latest response from Minister for Police and Counter-tourism Yasmin Catley simply wasn’t good enough.
Mrs Catley said the delays were caused by new legislation requirements and the Firearms Registry would “continue to prioritise system enhancements, process and resource allocation to restore normal service levels as soon as possible”.
Mrs Tuckerman said the Minister’s response ignored the “very real impacts” delays were having on people’s livelihoods, businesses, sporting activities and day-to-day lives.
“Every case is different,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“Some people are waiting on permits needed for pest management, some for farm operations, some for employment and others for legitimate sporting and recreational purposes.
“They deserve answers specific to their situation, not a one-size-fits-all response.”
Mrs Tuckerman said talk of additional funding and system upgrades did little to help those people who have already been waiting months for applications to be processed.
In her latest (undated) response to Mrs Tuckerman’s representations, the Minister said new legislation requirements had required significant updates to NSW Firearms Registry systems, processes, policy and business practices.
The new legislation is the Terrorism and Other Legislation and Amendment Act.
Mrs Catley said the Register had also experienced a significant rise in some application volumes, which had seen processing times increase across a range of services.
“While service delays are understandably frustrating for licence holders, these temporary interruptions are a necessary and proportionate measure to ensure the integrity of the system that supports the firearms regulation frameworks,” the Minister said.
Mrs Tuckerman described the Minister’s response as a “generic form letter”.
The exact same explanation for delays appears on the NSW Firearms Registry website.
Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson said he had spoken to many licenced firearms owners and firearms dealers who were “incredibly frustrated” over the situation.
“These are lawful firearms owners who have licences, comply with strict storage requirements and follow the rules,” Mr Williamson said.
“They should not be forced to wait months simply to legally purchase a firearm,” he said.
“We all support strong firearms laws and proper checks to ensure firearms do not fall into the wrong hands, but there is no justification for making fully licensed and law-abiding people wait six months or more.”
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