Firearm laws in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) are under the spotlight, and I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes. These changes threaten to penalize law-abiding gun owners due to the shortcomings of intelligence and law enforcement agencies. My personal stake in this matter reflects the growing frustration among responsible firearm owners who adhere to stringent regulations, only to find themselves scapegoated for systemic failures.

The incident in Bondi, where firearms reached the hands of those known to have connections with terror activities, is a glaring example of the inadequacies in our current intelligence and policing systems. As was the incidents with the shooting in Tara QLD. Instead of addressing these critical vulnerabilities, the response has been to hastily draft blanket laws with little regard for their broader implications. This reactive approach, born out of emotional distress rather than rational assessment, risks overlooking key preventative measures, and unfairly targets those who comply with stringent background checks and safety standards.

Australia has always prided itself on community safety and robust law enforcement. However, the failures of NSW Police and Australian intelligence in recent cases highlight the urgent need to fix the gaps within these systems. According to a review by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, there have been lapses in tracking down individuals on watchlists, allowing them access to firearms despite being on authorities' radar. These are the areas that require immediate attention and rectification.

The focus should be on strengthening intelligence-sharing protocols, improving background checks, and investing in better resource allocation for law enforcement rather than blanket firearm bans. This approach not only secures communities but also respects the rights of responsible firearms owners.

Our current path is not suitable, laws must be made with careful consideration not in haste. For example, we have ministers and politicians who are talking about banning “belt fed shotguns”, when not a single thing exists in Australia. Talks of nationwide buy backs are also being spoken about which will cost millions of dollars, in a time when money is scarce - it won’t actually solve issue. We must prioritise a balanced and informed discussion among lawmakers, security experts, and the citizens affected by these policies. By promoting comprehensive and fair firearm regulations, we can prevent future tragedies without compromising the freedoms of millions of law-abiding Australians.

Sign this petition to demand that NSW and QLD governments make informed and sensible decisions concerning firearm laws, focusing on long-term safety solutions rather than hasty and ineffective regulations.

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS TEMPLATE BELOW TO SEND TO YOUR LOCAL STATE & FEDERAL MEMBERS REGARDING YOUR CONCERNS. Please also send this to the Prime Minister:

Dear [Title] [Last Name],

I reside in the federal electorate of [Electorate], [State], and I am writing to express my concerns regarding current and proposed firearms reforms, as well as broader issues relating to extremism and intelligence oversight in Australia.

I strongly oppose further restrictions on lawful firearms ownership—such as proposals to impose arbitrary caps on the number of firearms owned. Measures of this nature do not meaningfully address the causes of violent extremism, terrorismor acts of individuals intent on causing mass harm. Instead, they place additional burdens on compliant, licensed Australians while offering limited public safety benefit.

Recent atrocities suggest that the central issue is not lawful firearms ownership, but failures in identifying, monitoring, and disrupting individuals who pose a genuine risk of violent extremism. This raises serious questions about whether existing intelligence and law-enforcement powers are being used effectively, particularly in cases where individuals known to authorities were able to retain access to firearms.

If public safety is the objective, policy focus should be directed toward:

• Countering radical extremism in all forms, regardless of ideology
• Strengthening mental health interventions and early-warning systems for at-risk individuals
• Ensuring intelligence agencies and law enforcement actively use existing powers when credible threats are identified
• Improving inter-agency coordination and accountability, rather than imposing blanket restrictions on lawful citizens
History and international experience show that restricting lawful firearm ownership alone does not stop determined individuals from committing mass violence. Serious attacks have occurred using vehicles, knives, and arson in countries with highly restrictive firearm laws, including the Kyoto Animation arson attack (36 killed), the Akihabara attack (7 killed), and the Shimonoseki Station massacre (5 killed). Public safety is best served by targeted, intelligence-led intervention rather than reactive or symbolic legislation.

An increasing number of Australians are questioning the effectiveness of reactive, symbolic law changes that impose new restrictions without delivering meaningful improvements to public safety. I urge you to consider policies that address the underlying causes of violence and extremism, rather than measures that primarily affect responsible firearm owners while leaving systemic issues unexamined. I would appreciate your views on this matter and any steps you believe should be taken to improve public safety outcomes.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Suburb], QLD
[Postcode]
[Optional: Phone or Email]