Gun News Australia: the latest news for Aussie shooters

The One Thing Politicians Fear More Than Court Challenges

FOR DECADES, licensed shooters have found themselves fighting the same battles over and over again.
A new restriction is proposed. Organisations mobilise. Submissions are written. Legal challenges are considered. Campaigns are launched. Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose.
Then a few years later, the entire process starts again.
But what if we've been approaching the problem the wrong way?
In this episode of Gun News Australia, we look at a different way of thinking about firearms advocacy. Instead of focusing solely on stopping the next restriction, buyback or regulatory change after it has already been proposed, we examine how licensed shooters can influence the political environment before those proposals ever reach the table.
We discuss why politicians respond to incentives, why elections matter more than many people realise, and why becoming a recognised voting bloc may be the most effective long-term strategy available to licensed shooters.
This isn't a discussion about one specific policy proposal. It's a discussion about how lasting political change actually occurs, and what it would take for governments to start viewing firearms policy through a different lens.
Can licensed shooters become a genuine political force in Australia, or are we destined to keep fighting the same battles one regulation at a time?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
If you'd like to support independent firearms policy analysis, please consider supporting Gun News Australia through Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon.
#GunNewsAustralia #AustralianPolitics #FirearmsPolicy #LicensedShooters #ShootingSports #ElectionStrategy #PoliticalAdvocacy #GunLawsAustralia #ShootingCommunity #AustralianElections

GUN REPORT RECOMMENDS FEES HIKE: Report paves way for Allan Government to jack up gun licence fees

WE SPEAK WITH Sean Fraser to dissect the recently released Ken Lay Rapid Review into Victoria’s firearm laws.
The Victorian Government has accepted 15 out of 16 recommendations, paving the way for sweeping administrative shifts that directly target licensed Victorian shooters.
We break down the deliberately laid "landmines" hidden in this report, including the open ended definitions of "high-risk" firearms, and permit fee increases that will force Victorian shooters to pay more under the Allan Labor Government.
From bans targeting non-citizen shooters to the further fragmentation of the National Firearms Agreement, we look at the hard facts.
Our community faces an uphill battle as state-specific registries push restrictive agendas that ignore 130 years of established firearm technology.
We cut through the political rhetoric to ensure grassroots shooting sports participants stay informed, unified, and equipped to protect our sport.
 
See the full gun law review report at: https://files.justice.vic.gov.au/2026-05/Rapid-Review-Victoria-Firearm-Laws.pdf
See the state government’s response at: https://files.justice.vic.gov.au/2026-05/Rapid-Review-Victoria-Firearm-Laws-Government-Response.pdf
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#AustralianShooters #ShootingSports #FirearmsLegislation #GunLawsAU #LAFO #AussieShooters #SportShootingAU

VIC GUN BUYBACK EXPOSED: $886M for a 1 Percent Return

In this episode, we break down a new economic report that reveals the proposed Victorian gun buyback scheme will return less than one cent in benefits for every dollar spent.
We examine the cost-benefit analysis commissioned by Shooters Union Australia that shows taxpayers will spend $886 million for a benefit-to-cost ratio of just 0.28 to 0.34.
The report found no statistical evidence that reducing legally owned firearms prevents mass shootings or reduces firearm homicides. It will impact over 200,000 licensed shooters who will lose their firearms, the $120 million in lost business activity affecting gun shops and related businesses, and the $137 million in administrative costs.
We also look at what the 1996 Port Arthur buyback data actually shows and why this policy will remove firearms from legal owners while doing nothing to address illegal firearms smuggled through Australian ports. With Victoria's election in November, we believe taxpayers deserve to know what they're getting for their money.
#GunNewsAustralia #VictorianElection #GunBuyback #CostBenefitAnalysis #FirearmPolicy #AustralianPolitics #ShootersUnion #VictorianGunLaws

THREE ELECTIONS - THREE GREAT RESULTS: What One Nation’s ascent means for shooters

WE LOOK AT what the seismic emergence of One Nation after recent elections means for firearm owners across the country.
One Nation's stunning performance in the South Australian state election saw them capture 24.4% of the vote and four lower house seats, dramatically outpolling the Liberals.  They also captured three upper house seats.
This momentum continued through the Nepean by-election, where they gained 24.5% of the vote, and their decisive victory in Farrer with 57.5% of the vote on a two-party-preferred basis.
The trend is unmistakable.  These three results point to the collapse of the Liberal Party’s place as the alternative government, and the retreat of far-left parties like the Greens and Animal Justice Party.
With Victoria's upcoming November state election, this trend looks set to continue, which can only be good for shooters.
We also examine critical issues including political trust, preference deals, the detrimental impact that firearm policy uncertainty has for dealers and shooters, and why engagement with local MPs matters now more than ever.
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#PoliticsReloaded #OneNation #AustralianPolitics #GunRights #FirearmOwners #VictorianElection #ShootersRights #AussieShooting

THE CLASSIC ANTI-GUN TRAP: Why the Bondi Royal Commission must not recommend the NFA be ‘updated’

THE BONDI ROYAL COMMISSION’S interim report recommends the National Firearms Agreement be ‘updated’, but we're calling for that idea to be dropped.
In this episode of #GunNewsAustralia, we break down our submission to the Commission explaining why updating the NFA without examining its current flaws would be a step backwards.
We expose how Western Australia doesn't even comply with the existing NFA. There are no permits to acquire (instead a clumsy and expensive system of licensing not just the user, but each firearm), and no interstate mutual recognition of licenses. Yet it wants to spread its restrictive laws nationwide!
Our submission highlights critical issues: arbitrary appearance laws that ban firearms based on looks rather than function; junior license restrictions that harm international shooting sports development; and the clause allowing states to treat the NFA as "minimum standards" – such as the latest push to bring in caps on the number of firearms owned.
We're demanding five key reforms.  They are a full NFA review with shooting community input, scrapping appearance laws, fixing junior license age restrictions (lowering to 11 for use, not ownership), requiring all states to actually comply with the agreement, and removing the ‘minimum standard’ loophole that turns this into a "National Firearms Disagreement."
Finally, can you please help us?  We need to be able to send this content to more and more shooters – so make sure you’re on our email list & get your mates to do the same as well! 
It’s free, easy to opt out, and would be a huge help if you can do that.  To sign up, just go to https://politicsreloaded.com/email-list/ 
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#PoliticsReloaded #GunNewsAustralia #NFA #BondiRoyalCommission #FirearmRights #AustralianShooters #ShootingSports #FirearmLegislation

NCAT CHALLENGE STARTS: We take the NSW Police on – while SSAA & SIFA run for cover

WE’VE JUST HELD our first NCAT hearing to force NSW Police to hand over documents from the national roundtable of firearm registries.  They will reveal what new laws our registries and policy bureaucrats are secretly planning.
To fight this, the police have hired an expensive partner from a major law firm (costing thousands of dollars per day) instead of using their internal lawyers.
This is unprecedented at such an early stage in a tribunal matter.
The tribunal has ordered full written submissions by mid-year, with the main hearing scheduled for August.
Viewers will remember we’re backed by the NSW Information and Privacy Commissioner’s report, which shows that the police’s reason for withholding documents does not stack up – so we're fighting to expose what's being cooked up for us behind closed doors.
But here's the disappointing part: both SSAA and SIFA were approached to support this critical fight. Both walked away from the fight (for no reason), letting every shooter down.
This matter affects every shooter in Australia - because we need to expose what new laws our registries have in mind.
We need your continued support for the long legal battle ahead, potentially going to the Supreme Court.
💰 SUPPORT THE FIGHT: You can donate to the fundraiser at GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/filed-at-ncat-were-fighting-nsw-police-over-gun-policy
Or donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=H8M2TBTFB7L62
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 #PoliticsReloaded #NCATHearing #NSWPolice #FirearmRights #GunNewsAustralia #AustralianShooters #FirearmLaw #ShootingCommunity

“IT WAS DESIGNED TO OFFEND SHOOTERS”: Victorian State Budget leaves shooters left high and dry

THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S recent State Budget told us how much value it places on the shooting sports.
Despite iron-clad promises to build world-class shooting facilities after abandoning the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Victoria's shooters received zero funding while other sports flourished.
The numbers tell a shocking story.
Geelong BMX Club secured $200,000 for 120 members (that's $1,600 per member).  Cycling received $12 million, and bike lanes got $7.4 million – for a lot of paint!
Meanwhile, the shooting sports didn’t get anything. Not even enough for a car park.
This is particularly embarrassing when Brisbane and Sydney boast international-level shooting complexes - yet Victoria, Australia's second-most populous state, continues to lack basic shooting infrastructure.
With a $108 billion budget, allocating just 0.1% to support the shooting sports would turn this around.  Importantly, it would allow the state to attract major international events, with proven economic benefits.   
This means the government doesn’t have a revenue problem; it has an expenditure problem. 
This has been exacerbated by a state government cabinet dominated by the socialist left-wing of the Labor Party which wants to crush the shooting sports.
TAKE ACTION: Let Victoria’s State Premier, Jacinta Allan, know that this isn’t good enough. 
Email her at jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au and demand that we have proper shooting infrastructure for Victoria.
Finally, can you please help us?  We need to be able to send this content to more and more shooters – so make sure you’re on our email list & get your mates to do the same as well! 
It’s free, easy to opt out and would be a huge help if you can do that.  To sign up, just go to https://politicsreloaded.com/email-list/ 
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#GunNewsAustralia #VictorianBudget #ShootingSports #Victoria #AustralianPolitics #FirearmRights #VictorianShooters #AustralianShooters #SportingShooters #PoliticsReloaded

NO IDEA ABOUT GUNS: Labor’s dangerously uninformed approach

IN THIS EPISODE, we sit down with Danny Ryan, President of Sporting Clays Victoria, to discuss why politicians remain dangerously uninformed about firearms and the shooting community.
This always leads to uninformed policy and bad laws – such as those that came out of the Bondi tragedy.
We look at the appalling knowledge gap among politicians who make decisions affecting our sport. From professional politicians who never set foot on a range and have "overinflated views of their own knowledge" to bureaucrats, our current relationship with the government can only be described as hostile.
Danny and Neil discuss the urgent need for shooting organisations to unite, the challenges of cutting through anti-gun misinformation from groups like Gun Safety Alliance, and why every shooter must personally contact their MP.
THE RECENT STATE BUDGET also comes in for a serve, with the government failing to provide any support for shooters. 
It stole millions from shooters over the 2026 Commonwealth Games shooting facilities fiasco, which is why we’re going to be providing a dedicated episode on that this coming week.
That's because Victoria is now in the grip of a socialist left-wing Labor government that makes no apology for its outrageous raid on support for the shooting sports.
PLUS, we’ve got an important update on our NCAT legal action coming up this week.  To donate, simply to go:
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/ceaa3f898
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=H8M2TBTFB7L62
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DONATE NOW – and support our work
You can back our work by donating at https://politicsreloaded.com/donate/OR you can ‘buy me a coffee’ in support, at https://buymeacoffee.com/politicsreloaded
 #GunNewsAustralia #VictorianBudget #ShootingSports #FirearmAdvocacy #Australia

SHOOTING RANGES: Victoria Labor's Golden Opportunity to Deliver

VICTORIA HAS FALLEN well behind the rest of Australia, lacking even a single shooting facility capable of hosting international-level events.
With the Victorian state budget imminent and the November state election looming, now is the time for our major parties to see and capitalise on the political and economic opportunities this presents.
WE SPEAK WITH Danny Ryan, President of Sporting Clays Victoria, for a hard-hitting discussion about what's at stake for the state's 250,000 licensed shooters.
After the embarrassing cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Victorian government broke its promise to deliver legacy shooting infrastructure—leaving clubs struggling with outdated, volunteer-run facilities, while Brisbane prepares world-class venues for the 2032 Olympics.
Danny reveals the shocking disparity in government funding, the economic case for investment (with shooting worth billions to Victoria's economy), and how the pending firearms review by Ken Lay could require infrastructure that doesn't exist.
With potential changes to firearm laws requiring compulsory training and range attendance, the infrastructure crisis becomes even more urgent.
The message is clear: Contact your local MP now. Take 20 minutes—visit their office, make the call.
This is your sport, your future.
Finally, can you please help us?  We need to be able to send this content to more and more shooters – so make sure you’re on our email list & get your mates to do the same! 
It’s free, easy to opt out and would be a huge help if you can do that.  To sign up, just go to https://politicsreloaded.com/email-list/ 
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DONATE NOW – and support our work
You can back our work by donating at https://politicsreloaded.com/donate/OR you can ‘buy me a coffee’ in support, at https://buymeacoffee.com/politicsreloaded
 
#VictoriaShootingSports #GunNewsAustralia #VictorianBudget #ShootingInfrastructure #ISSF #VicPol

GUN IMPORTATION CHAOS: What our new federal laws mean for shooters

WE INTERVIEW BASTIAN GREEN from Australian Sporting Agencies, who discusses the devastating impact of new federal importation laws on Australia's firearms industry.
Without consulting industry stakeholders, the federal government implemented sweeping restrictions following the Bondi incident, effectively throttling the supply chain and threatening the viability of the industry underpinning what we do.
Green reveals how importers face revenue losses as orders of suddenly non-compliant firearms become stranded overseas and unfulfillable contracts.
Shooters will see price increases of up to $500 per firearm due to bureaucratic double-handling and permit delays of 6-8 weeks.
Dealers are caught in limbo — and shooters are bound to feel the full impact of regulatory chaos.
We also look at how the federal buyback needs to be conducted if it is to fairly compensate businesses and individuals for these forced losses—which is going to easily top at least $3 billion, while achieving …. nothing.
THERE ARE THINGS we can do to reverse this. Getting involved in elections is the best way. We'll cover this in an episode soon .
Watch the Australian Sporting Agencies video explaining the new laws at: https://youtu.be/KcO0NjKSgzw
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#AustralianFirearms #GunLaws #FirearmsIndustry #ImportRestrictions #GunNewsAustralia #SecondAmendment #ShootingSports #Legislation #PoliticsReloaded