Barker rejects Labor’s failed gun buyback scheme

Barker rejects Labor’s failed gun buyback scheme

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has welcomed the Albanese Government's failure to meet its deadline for the proposed national firearm buyback scheme, describing it as a victory for common sense and the thousands of law-abiding firearm owners across Barker who stood up against the proposal. The Prime Minister promised agreement with the states by March and legislation by 1 July. Instead, the proposal has failed to secure the national support needed to proceed.

Mr Pasin said the outcome followed months of determined advocacy on behalf of farmers, recreational and sporting shooters, firearm collectors and regional communities who would have been unfairly targeted by Labor's proposed changes.

"From the outset I argued that Labor was targeting the wrong people," Mr Pasin said.

"Law-abiding firearm owners in Barker are not the problem. Farmers rely on firearms as an essential tool of their business, sporting shooters participate in one of Australia's most highly regulated sports, and collectors preserve an important part of our history.

"They should never have been treated as though they were responsible for the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi." Mr Pasin said the interim findings of the Royal Commission confirmed that no state or Commonwealth agency had identified deficiencies in Australia's existing firearm laws that would have prevented the attack.

"Labor's response was driven by politics, not evidence," he said. “We don’t have a gun problem in this country; we have a problem with Islamic extremism.”

"Instead of focusing on extremists, organised crime and the illegal firearms market, the Government chose to burden honest Australians who already comply with some of the strictest firearm laws in the world." Mr Pasin said the strong response from across Barker demonstrated how deeply regional communities opposed the proposal.

"More than 8,700 people signed my petition opposing Labor's proposal, and many more contacted my office or spoke with me during visits to shooting clubs and community events across Barker," he said.

"I want to sincerely thank every person who signed the petition, contacted my office or took the time to speak with me in defence of responsible firearm ownership.

"This outcome demonstrates that when regional communities stand together and make their voices heard, governments are forced to listen."