New Firearms Legislation: Frequently Asked Questions

Since the Minns Government announced changes to firearms regulations, my team and I have received a significant number of enquiries. To assist the community, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions addressing the most common concerns. 

These changes are expected to take at least 12 months to implement. While we strongly advocated throughout the legislative process, the legislation has now passed, and we are awaiting finalisation of the accompanying regulations. My team and I will continue working closely with Minister Catley as the regulations are refined and amended. 

As a result, not all questions can be fully answered at this stage. However, I will keep you informed to the greatest extent possible and will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available. 

 Please note this is not legal advice and is our interpretation of the new legislation. 

What is the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025? 

It’s a NSW government bill that tightens firearms regulation, creates an offence for displaying terrorist organisation symbols, and gives police additional powers around public assemblies after a declared terrorist act. It was introduced on 22–23 Dec 2025, passed both Houses on 24 Dec 2025, and assented the same day (published in the NSW Gazette on 16 Jan 2026). 

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=18853

What are the new limits on how many firearms a person can own? 

For a licensee who possesses and uses firearms for any of the following genuine reasons—no more than 10 firearms— 

• primary production 
  
• occupational requirements relating to rural purposes, 
  
• animal welfare 

For a licensee who possesses and uses firearms for the genuine reason of sport/target shooting, vertebrate pest animal control or business or employment, no more than the greater of— 

• 10 firearms, or
• the number of firearms approved by the Commissioner in accordance with the regulations. 

A firearms dealer licence—no limitation. 

A firearms collector licence—no limitation

A person who is a member of a class of persons prescribed by the regulations for this paragraph—no more than 10 firearms. 

Otherwise—4 firearms. 

When a licensee qualifies under more than one category, the licence allows the largest firearm limit among those categories. 

Does the 10-firearm limit include Cat H pistols? Yes.

Clarification of reclassified firearms

The following firearms will now be considered category A–

• air rifles (other than self-loading) with a magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds
• rimfire rifles (other than self-loading, pump action, straight pull, button/lever release) with a magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds
• shotguns (other than pump action, straight pull, button/lever release, lever action or self-loading) with a magazine capacity of no more than 5 rounds
• shotgun/rimfire rifle combinations that do not have a magazine
• shotgun/rimfire rifle combinations with a magazine capacity of no more than 5 rounds.

The following firearms will now be considered Category B-

• muzzle-loading firearms (other than pistols)
• centre-fire rifles (other than self-loading)
• shotgun/centre-fire rifle combinations
• lever action shotguns with a magazine capacity of no more than 5 rounds
• semi-automatic air guns

The following firearms will now be considered Category C-

• straight pull/pump action firearms (rimfire rifles, centre-fire rifles and shotguns)
• button/lever release firearms (rimfire rifles, centre-fire rifles and shotguns)

Definitions

button/lever release firearm means a self-ejecting, lever, button or similar release repeating firearm that operates using the energy of the firearm discharge to perform some of the cycle of operation.

cycle of operation, in relation to a button/lever release firearm, means the following— (a) the automatic unlocking, extraction and ejection of the fired cartridge case after discharge,

(c) the locking rearwards of the mechanism under spring tension until the lever, button or similar release is depressed or moved, causing the mechanism to move forward, feed a cartridge and lock, enabling the firearm to be ready to discharge a subsequent shot when the trigger is depressed.

semi-automatic air gun means an air gun that contains a magazine or cylinder and can discharge subsequent pellets without mechanical action by the shooter other than depressing the trigger.

straight pull/pump action firearm means a straight pull or pump action repeating rifle, shotgun or other firearm—

(a) in which the action is cycled using a linear motion using the shooter’s hand on a handle, bolt or other part, and

(b) that does not require rotation during unlocking and locking, as in a traditional bolt-action repeating firearm when cycling the action.

What category will FX air rifles be in? This will depend on the action type and magazine capacity. Semi-automatic air guns will be Category B.

What if I have firearms for multiple reasons, Collectables, Pest Control and Sport? 

For a licensee who possesses and uses firearms for the genuine reason of sport/target shooting, vertebrate pest animal control or business or employment, no more than the greater of-

• 10 firearms, or 
  
• the number of firearms approved by the Commissioner in accordance with the regulations, 

When a licensee qualifies under more than one category in subsection (1), the licence allows the largest firearm limit among those categories. 

Vertebrate Pest Control and Business/Employment licence holders who believe they have a genuine need for more than the prescribed maximum number may write to the Firearm Registry seeking an exemption. 

I have a worn barrel that is registered. Will it be classified as a firearm? Will extra stocks be included? Yes. Barrels are registerable and should be treated as a “firearm” with appropriate safe storage.

Can firearms be modified to comply with the new regulations, or will they be confiscated? No. Only authorised firearms dealers are permitted to modify firearms.

Will the Firearms Registry scrutinise individual firearms? Firearms Registry will check that each licence holder holds no more firearms than are permitted by the licensee’s genuine reason(s.)

My firearms licence has Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control and Sport/Target Shooting. I am under the limit for Sport/Target Shooting but over the limit for Recreational Hunting. All my firearms were purchased on Hunting/Vermin Control PTAs. What steps must I follow to comply with the new laws? If you have more than one genuine reason for your licence, the licensee may possess the highest number of firearms permitted under the applicable genuine reason.  

I am a retired primary producer, still on the same land but no longer holding my ABN. I still have the same issues with pigs, foxes, and other feral animals. How will the new laws affect people like me? This will depend on the genuine reason(s) on your licence.

I currently hold Category A and B for Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control. How many firearms am I limited to? The cap on firearms relates to your genuine reason. If your genuine reason is Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control, your cap is no more than four firearms.

Can a Recreational Hunter add Sport/Target Shooting as a genuine reason, and will that impact the cap?

The cap applies to your genuine reason-

Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control – no more than four

Sport/Target Shooting – no more than 10

I have genuine reasons for Primary Production, Recreational Hunting/Shooting, and Sport/Target Shooting pistols in four disciplines, and for a competition rifle, which requires four additional firearms. What is my cap? If more than one paragraph of genuine reason applies to your licence, the number of firearms a person may possess and use is the highest number of firearms permitted under the applicable paragraphs. If a greater number of firearms is required, you will need the Commissioner’s approval.

I own a hobby farm. Where do I stand? If you are already a licensed firearms owner and your genuine reason remains unchanged, you can maintain firearms within the cap relevant to your genuine reason.

For example, your genuine reason is sport/target shooting – no more than 10.

Do we need an ammunition collector’s license if we have ammunition for a firearm for which we don’t have a license? and/or reloading gear? This question is best directed to the Firearms Registry.

Are there changes to licence duration and eligibility? 

Yes, the duration of a licence is now 2 years, reduced from 5 years. We do not know at this stage how existing 5-year licences will be treated.   

To hold a licence, you now must either: 

• Belong to an approved club (such as a shooting, hunting, or firearm collectors’ club), or 
• Have an exemption that says you don’t need to be a club member.

A club may include a shooting club, a hunting club, or a collectors’ society or club.  

The exemption must be granted in accordance with the regulations (which are yet to be drafted). 

Primary producers will be exempt from the new requirement for all licence holders to join a club. 

Now, restricting firearms licences to Australian citizens and permanent residents only. 

Clarification on permanent residents and New Zealand citizens

You may hold a licence as a Permanent Resident or New Zealand citizen for employment purposes if your genuine reason is any of the following:

(A) primary production,

(B) vertebrate pest animal control,

(C) business or employment,

(D) occupational requirements relating to rural purposes,

(E) animal welfare,

(F) another genuine reason prescribed by the regulations, or (b) a person who is a member of a class of persons prescribed by the regulations for this paragraph.

I am a permanent resident of Australia and have a firearms licence, but I do not hold citizenship. Can I retain my licence?

You can retain a firearms licence provided your firearm is required for employment purposes if your genuine reason is any of the following:

(A) primary production,

(B) vertebrate pest animal control,

(C) business or employment,

(D) occupational requirements relating to rural purposes,

(E) animal welfare,

(F) another genuine reason prescribed by the regulations, or (b) a person who is a member of a class of persons prescribed by the regulations for this paragraph

Will a firearms licence be cheaper now that it is reduced to two years? This will be decided in the regulations.

I applied for a 5-year licence before the law changed. Will I be issued a 5- or 2-year licence? Will I be required to resubmit for a 2-year licence? This will be clarified in the regulations.

Are there changes to the license application process?  

As far as we know, no. 

How will this affect the timeframe for license application renewals and approvals? 

The timeframe for licence applications and renewals should not be affected. 

Can a person appeal a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) to NCAT? 

Anyone served with an FPO should seek independent legal advice specific to their circumstances.

For anyone seeking legal advice, please email- [email protected]

Internal review of other firearm‑related decisions  

The appeal process through the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has been removed. A new Internal Review process will be implemented. Details of the new Internal Review have not yet been announced. 

Will there be a buyback or audit? 

While the Federal Government has announced a firearms buyback, the NSW Government has not yet announced the details. 

Do I need to be a club member to keep a licence? 

For licensees with Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control and/or Sport/Target Shooting, a genuine reason now requires them to be a club member. Licensees with the genuine reason of: Primary Production, Animal Welfare, are exempt from the requirement to be a club member. 

If I hold a Category H licence for Sport/Target Shooting, can my Category A and B Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control rifles and shotgun be classified under Sport/Target Shooting, or do I need a club for the rifle and a separate club for the shotgun?  The new requirement is to be a member of “a” club.  

Is there a required number of recorded club attendances to hold a firearm licence? Yes.  Hunting Club members must attend two hunting club events per year. Sport/Target Shooting club members must attend four shooting activities per year.  

To have Sport/Target Shooting on your licence as a genuine reason and have 10 firearms, do you have to participate in formal competitions, or will practice sessions continue to count towards your four mandatory attendances? No. The requirement is to undertake four “shooting activities” per year. “Shooting activity” includes shooting training, target practice, firearms safety training, and competitive shooting matches.

What will the rules be for what firearms clubs’ primary producers can join? For example, if you have Cat A and B rifles, can you join any club? Primary producers are exempt from the requirement to join a club. This does not prevent primary producers from joining a club if they wish.

Are you required to compete when joining a firearm club, or is practice and informal competition allowed? For the Sport/target Shooting genuine reason, four “shooting activities” per year are required. “Shooting activity” includes shooting training, target practice, firearms safety training, and competitive shooting matches.

If I am currently licenced in NSW for Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control with Cat A and Cat B, do I need to join a club for the genuine reason of Recreational Hunting? Yes, unless regulations prescribe otherwise.

• What is my cap? Four firearms

I work on a farm, as an employee, not a primary producer, and my role involves feral animal control. What is my cap?  Your cap will relate to your genuine reason that is listed on your licence.

If you work for a primary producer that requires Cat C firearms, can you obtain a Cat C licence? You will need to apply for a Cat C licence and demonstrate ‘special need’ that cannot be met by a Category A or B firearm. 

Will rural landowners be eligible for the 10-limit cap if they aren’t considered a primary producer?  It is unknown at this stage whether ‘farmers’ and ‘graziers’ will be considered primary producers.

What about the landholders that derive income from property and are therefore not classed as Primary Producers?

If you are required to use firearms for the genuine reasons of sport/target shooting, vertebrate pest control or business or employment, you are allowed no more than 10 firearms, or the number of firearms approved by the Commissioner in accordance with the regulations.

Will there be an option to shoot on a Firearms Collector Licence? Collectors may apply for a permit to test category A, category B, or category H firearms held under a Collectors Licence.   

Who supported or opposed the NSW legislation?

Legislative Assembly vote 

AYES- Aitchison, J, Atalla, E, Ayyad, T, Bali, S, Catley, Y, Chanthivong, A, Clancy, J, Cotsis, S, Coure, M, Crouch, A, Daley, M, Davis, D, Di Pasqua, S, Dib, J, Doyle, T, Dwyer, R, Finn, J, Greenwich, A, Griffin, J, Hagarty, N, Harris, D, Harrison, J, Haylen, J, Henskens, A, Hodges, M, Hoenig, R, Holland, M, James, T, Kaliyanda, C, Kamper, S, Kirby, W, Lane, J, Li, J, McDermott, H, McInerney, K, McKeown, K, Mehan, D, Minns, C, O'Neill, M, Preston, R, Quinnell, S, Regan, M, Roberts, A, Saffin, J, Saliba, D, Scruby, J, Scully, P, Sloane, K, Stuart, M, Tudehope, M, Vo, T, Voltz, L, Wallace, J, Warren, G, Washington, K, Whan, S, Wilkinson, K, Williams, R, Wilson, F.

NOES- Anderson, K, Butler, R, Cooke, S, Dalton, H, Donato, P, Hannan, J, Kemp, M, McGirr, J, Moylan, B, Provest, G, Singh, G, Thompson, T, Toole, P, Tuckerman, W, Williamson, R

Legislative Council vote

AYES- Buttigieg, Carter, D'Adam, Donnelly, Graham, Houssos, Jackson, Lawrence, Merton, Mookhey, Moriarty, Murphy, Nanva, Primrose, Rath, Sharpe, Suvaal, Tudehope.

NOES- Banasiak, Barrett, Borsak, Fang, Mitchell, Overall, Roberts, Ruddick.

Can I transfer or gift firearms interstate? This should not change.

Can I transfer firearms to another licence holder and continue storing them in my safe storage with my ten firearms? Yes, provided the firearm safe is approved by the Commissioner for the categories of firearm being stored. 

What are the new safe storage requirements under the new caps?

At this stage, safe storage requirements remain unchanged. However, they may be subject to change under the new regulations.

Do existing licences and firearms become immediately unlawful? No 

Where can I read the exact legal text and explanatory material? 

This link will take you to the text of the Bill, explanatory notes and contributions by members. 

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=18853 

Who can I reach out to and voice my concerns? 

Contact the Premier (see details below) and your local member at both a State and Federal level to voice your concerns in a considered way. While this is an emotional time for many of us, it is important that we use facts and respectful language to convey our concerns. 

NSW Premier here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/premier-of-nsw/contact-premier 

How will they implement capacity limits? 

The Firearms Registry has commenced checking licence holders to see if they have more than the permitted number of firearms for the licence holders' nominated genuine reason(s). 

What happens if the rifles that are banned are used in my primary profession?

Primary producers can apply for a new category of licence for those firearms that have been re-classified as category C firearms.

What has been implemented to counteract the workload that will now be on gun dealers?

Additional resources will be introduced at the Firearms Registry to cope with the new reforms.