General News
24 December, 2025
Butler: Rushed Gun Laws Penalise Regional People
Member for Barwon said new state laws passed do nothing to prevent terrorism
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has tried to amend and delay the NSW government’s rushed laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, saying they don’t address the circumstances behind the attack while unfairly penalising regional people.
The NSW government recalled parliament to rush through laws that can prevent protests, restrict firearm ownership and move firearms licence appeal hearings to the Supreme Court.
A NSW parliament e-petition opposing the laws that was sponsored by Mr Butler has broken records for becoming the fastest to ever gather so many signatures.
Mr Butler has tried to amend the laws to remove the cap on firearms for sports shooters and to grandfather existing license holders so they can keep the firearms they already legally own. He also asked for the Bill to be split so the new protest laws could go through, but the firearms restrictions could be referred to a parliamentary committee for further consideration.
Mr Butler was joined by fellow regional Independent MPs Phil Donato, Helen Dalton, Dr Joe McGirr and Judy Hannan to oppose the laws. He says there’s no reason for urgency.
“The firearms licensing changes are complex and will take many months to implement, so whether this legislation is passed now or in 2026 after the appropriate consideration won’t affect the actual start date of the changes,” said Mr Butler.
“The firearms industry hasn’t been consulted at all, and regional voices are being ignored, which means these new laws have plenty of unintended consequences. These include a greater risk of exposing criminal intelligence, weakening government control of license hearings and imposing a greater burden on over-worked police.
“Perhaps worst of all – these laws do nothing to address the drivers of the Bondi terror attack, which include rising antisemitism, licensing failures, and poor intelligence sharing.
“Instead, these laws demonise law-abiding firearm owners,” Mr Butler concluded.
