Western Australia is the only state that already caps the number of guns a person can have, and the Cook government set aside more than $64.3 million for the buyback scheme that ran for six months last year.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns has recalled parliament to debate legislation next week that would cap firearm ownership in his state at four per person, with an exemption allowing primary producers and sporting shooters to hold 10.
NSW police minister Yasmin Catley said on Friday she expected NSW – the state with the most guns, at more than 1.1 million – would need three to four times the WA budget.
The prime minister said it was clear there was a problem with the licensing system after his backbencher Dan Repacholi – a former professional shooter – said NSW’s reforms should not “unfairly target responsible, law-abiding firearms owners”.
“If a bloke in Bonnyrigg needs six high-powered rifles and is able to get them under the existing licensing scheme, then there’s something wrong. I think Australians can see that,” Albanese said.
Coalition figures have been sceptical of gun reform, saying it distracted from tackling antisemitism, but did not immediately comment on the buyback scheme without seeing the details of the plan.
The Coalition said earlier in the week that it would work with the government if laws needed to be passed over summer.
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The Greens called for the government to go further than capping the number of guns, including the removal of recreational hunting as a reason to hold a firearms license, ongoing character checks for gun owners, and bans on rapid action and high-powered weapons in cities.
“No one in suburban Sydney, or anywhere in this country, should have a private arsenal of high-powered weapons at their home,” Greens justice spokesperson David Shoebridge said.
“There must be a clear cap on gun numbers, with multiple weapons only permissible where police are satisfied that there is a distinct requirement based on strict criteria.”
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