The NSW Minns Labor Government’s rushed gun reforms continue to penalise law-abiding registered firearms owners in regional NSW. 

The state government announced the start of the gun buyback scheme with Tamworth on the 18^th of January 2027 before shifting it to the 8th of February after Member for Tamworth raised concerns with the impact the buyback will have on the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said it was a bad decision because it would mean that people wanting to surrender firearms would have needed to take them to their local police station and hand them over to a police officer in the middle of Tamworth's busiest time of year.. 

“The decision to schedule a buyback in the middle of the festival was a disaster so I contacted the government demanding they urgently fix the problem,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s unacceptable to have a situation where people could be trying to surrender their guns in the middle of a packed Tamworth CBD with tourists everywhere. 

“The last thing local police need while our population swells is the burden of a gun buyback. All available police including the additional police that are allocated to our region for festival will be on the streets on duty, not waiting at the police station for people surrendering their guns. 

“It was a bad decision and the government needed to shift the date to a more reasonable and sensible time.

“I urgently contacted the government and I'm grateful that they heard my concerns and shifted the date.

"I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone to get a result for our community, and I’m relieved that the government has listened on this occasion.

"I remain opposed to the Labor Government's gun reforms. They are rushed, not evidence based, and there has been no proper consultation.”