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AAP
AAP
Politics
Zac de Silva and Allanah Sciberras

Federal gun reforms ignite fear among shooters

An association wants exemptions so sporting shooters can continue importing the equipment they need. (Steve McArthur/AAP PHOTOS)

Tough new gun laws will not impact Australia's Olympic shooters, the federal government insists, even as advocacy groups argue the reforms will hamper performance.

Politicians will return to Canberra on Monday for a two-day emergency sitting, allowing the Labor government to introduce an overhaul of Australia's hate speech laws and new firearms restrictions in response to the nation's worst mass shooting in three decades.

The legislation faces a rocky path, with the coalition expected to oppose it and the Greens promising to follow suit unless major changes are made.

Confiscated firearms are put on display for the media in Brisbane
Gun reforms at the federal level will include a national firearms buyback. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

While most of the gun reforms are taking place at a state level, the federal government will lead a firearms buyback across the nation and restrict imports of certain types of weapons and accessories.

A snap review of the changes has received submissions from firearms groups that describe the legislation as fundamentally flawed.

The federal government says the Attorney‑General's Department is considering feedback from firearms stakeholders. 

The proposed changes should not impact athletes who compete internationally, and there will be exemptions to allow those with genuine needs - including sports shooters, primary producers and professional shooters - to access necessary equipment.

However, the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, which manages competitive shooting, has warned import restrictions on gun accessories such as shotgun vests and speed loaders would make life harder for elite competitors.

person holding an air pistol
The proposed changes should not impact athletes who compete internationally. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Clay target shooters often wear a vest to carry extra ammunition, and the discipline is practised all the way up to Olympic level.

Speed loaders are used in "practical shooting" matches that are not included in Olympic or Commonwealth Games, but gun groups say they help attract new shooters to the sport.

The proposed changes would not ban accessories, allowing sports shooters to import them with the appropriate permits, AAP has been told. 

Gun Control Australia, which advocates for a reduction in the number of firearms around the nation, backed the treatment of firearm accessories as controlled items

"(This) reflects the reality that the risks posed by modern firearms extend beyond complete weapons to the supply chain for critical components," the group said.

"Closing these loopholes is an essential modernisation."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at a vigil in Bondi, Sydney
Anthony Albanese has defended the gun reforms as modest and needed following the Bondi massacre. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio the legislation was "modest" and gun reform was needed following the Bondi terrorist attack.

Firearm Owners United said the federal government needed to ensure gun owners were paid at least market value for surrendered firearms.

The group urged Labor to outline exactly how much it was willing to spend on the buyback.

The federal government hopes to fund the scheme jointly with the states, but faces pushback from the Northern Territory and Tasmania, where leaders have raised concerns about the potential costs.

Gun Control Australia strongly backed the buyback, saying it would help remove high-risk weapons from circulation.

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