Reform-the australian firearms buyback scheme
The issue of firearms reform has been on the agenda of the APMC many times in past years. Some of the measures agreed at the 10 May meeting had been raised in 1987 and again in 1990 and 1991. Previous Commonwealth governments were unsuccessful in their efforts to bring the States and Territories together to implement effective nationwide firearms controls.
The need to strictly control the availability of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns was reinforced by the tragic killings in Hoddle Street and Queen Street, Melbourne in 1987, Strathfield in Sydney in 1991 and at Port Arthur in 1996.
Figures prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlight the fact that in the 16 years from 1980 to 1995 more than 10,150 people were killed in firearm related deaths (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Firearms Deaths in Australia 1980-95, ABS Catalogue No. 4397.0).
The agreement on firearms law reform reached at the special meeting of Australasian Police Ministers on 10 May 1996 was the result of detailed preparation and extensive consultation over many years.
Since 10 May 1996 legislative changes in each State and Territory have seen:
- the banning of self-loading rifles and self-loading and pump action shotguns, subject to narrow exceptions
- the introduction of comprehensive registration systems for all firearms in Australia, with established links to the National Exchange of Police Information and other State and Territory registration systems
- the introduction of a universal requirement to establish a genuine reason to own, possess or use a firearm
- the implementation of the requirement that a permit be obtained for the acquisition of each firearm and the introduction of a 28 day waiting period
- a requirement that all first-time applicants for a firearms licence undertake safety training,
- the introduction of agreed grounds for refusal or cancellation of firearms licences
- the regulation of the mail order and transport of firearms
- the introduction of minimum standards for the security and storage of firearms and
- the establishment and implementation of compensation and amnesty schemes which have facilitated the collection of nearly 400,000 firearms and the payment of nearly $200 million.
(These figures were correct at 8 May 1997. For the latest figures see the Tally page.)
By implementing decisions from the 1996 Nationwide Agreement on Firearms, each State and Territory in Australia has now put in place the most comprehensive reform of firearms laws in Australia's history.
While there may well be some work to do to ensure complete uniformity across the nation, there is no doubt that Australia has taken major strides forward in regulating firearms in the community.
The changes have made Australia a safer place for all of us by removing many dangerous firearms from our communities and, in the 12 months since the historic agreement, governments have delivered a uniform firearms registration and licensing system for all Australians.
Australasian Police Ministers' Council (APMC)
The APMC was commissioned to seek agreement on a national firearms regulatory scheme. In May 1996, the APMC reached an historic Nationwide Agreement on Firearms. Prior to the agreement, firearms laws differed greatly across the States and Territories in relation to most key areas.
By implementing decisions from the 1996 Nationwide Agreement on Firearms, each State and Territory in Australia has now put in place the most comprehensive reform of firearms laws in Australia's history.
The changes have made Australia a safer place for all of us by removing many dangerous firearms from our communities and, in the 12 months since the historic agreement, governments have delivered a uniform firearms registration and licensing system for all Australians.
APMC resolutions
In May 1996 the Australasian Police Ministers' Council (APMC) was commissioned to seek agreement on a national firearms regulatory scheme. The APMC reached an historic Nationwide Agreement on Firearms. Prior to the agreement, firearms laws differed greatly across the States and Territories in relation to most key areas.
The agreement contained 11 resolutions as follows:
1. Bans on Specific Types of Firearms - that all jurisdictions ban the sale, resale, transfer, ownership, possession, manufacture and use of those firearms banned or proposed to be banned from import
2. Effective Nationwide Registration of All Firearms - establish an integrated licence and firearms registration system
3. Genuine Reason for Owning, Possessing or Using a Firearm - personal protection not be regarded as a genuine reason for owning, possessing or using a firearm
4. Basic Licence Requirements - addition to the demonstration of genuine reason, a licence applicant should be required to
5. Training as a Prerequisite for Licensing - all jurisdictions require the completion of an accredited course in safety training for firearms
6. Grounds for Licence Refusal or Cancellation and Seizure of Firearms - jurisdictions set out in legislation circumstances in which licence applications are to be refused or licences are to be cancelled
7. Permit to Acquire - the issue of a permit should be subject to a waiting period of at least 28 days to enable appropriate checks
8. Uniform Standard for the Security and Storage of Firearms - Council resolved that all firearms and ammunition be stored in secure conditions
9. Recording of Sales - firearms sales be conducted only by or through licensed firearms dealers
10. Mail Order Sales Control - adopt the following principles in relation to mail order firearms sales
11. Compensation/Incentive Issues - common basis for fair and proper compensation, based on the value of each firearm as at March 1996.
