By NSW Police Firearms Registry Consultative Council – members formally announced.
In February this year, the NSW Police announced that a Firearms Registry Consultative Council was being established with the intention of creating a forum for the regular exchange of information and ideas between those involved in firearms regulation and the NSW Police Force on issues relevant to firearms regulation and public safety.
Expressions of interest were sought from people across the spectrum of the firearms industry from sport, interest areas such as collecting or hunting, manufacturing, importation, retail, primary production, gun control, victim services, public health and law reform. Specifically, those who could contribute constructively to raising opportunities, and identifying barriers for the better regulation of firearms, and to improving compliance with legislative requirements were encouraged to apply.
With the formal announcement today of those who have been appointed to this very important group, SIFA is pleased to advise that our Executive Officer James Walsh, has been selected as one of the groups’ industry representatives. A full list of Council appointees can be found here.
The function of the Council is as a non-statutory body established to identify and discuss opportunities to:
- Address improvements of and barriers to effective firearm regulation
- Improve compliance with legislative requirements
- Collaborate on initiatives and campaigns targeting, or relating to various firearm matters
- Share feedback about the Firearms Registry and activities within the firearm sector
SIFA has been advocating across all jurisdictions for open and transparent consultation to occur between firearms industry stakeholders, the government, regulators and bureaucrats to ensure that the concerns of the firearms industry are heard when policy and regulatory decisions are proposed and implemented.
The decision by the NSW Police Minister and Police Commissioner to form this Consultative Council is to be congratulated, as it provides the perfect mechanism for the ongoing, direct and transparent discussion of how NSW firearms policy affects legitimate firearms businesses and law abiding shooters and hunters.
NSW Police have also undertaken to post communiques detailing the general items discussed during Council meetings, with the April and June reports now publicly available here.
For anyone wanting further information on the NSW Police Firearms Registry Consultative Council, the NSW Police have a dedicated website which can be found at Firearms Registry Consultative Council – NSW Police Public Site
