Firearms Legislation Amendment (Repealing Unfair Gun Laws) Bill 2026

Summary

This legislation reverses most of a 2026 law that tried to create a national gun buyback scheme and tighten firearms import controls. It repeals the National Gun Buyback Scheme and cancels amendments to laws about how firearms information is shared with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, public safety testing, firearm imports, and offences related to using online services to share instructions for making firearms or explosives. It keeps in place the background check improvements and the restrictions on importing extremist material. The change matters because only New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory agreed to participate in the buyback by the government's deadline, leaving licensed gun owners, dealers, and businesses facing ongoing uncertainty about what the rules actually are—this returns the law to how it worked before January 2026, providing clarity and saving the Commonwealth around $5.8 million per year.

What happens at this stage

The bill is introduced to the chamber by its sponsor and given a formal title. No debate takes place. This step exists so all members are officially notified the bill is coming before any substantive discussion begins.

Next: Second Reading, where the chamber debates the bill's overall purpose and principles