We would like to pass on some key information we have received from Firearms Registry in regards to further legislative changes under the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, or more simply the changes to gun laws following the Bondi incident.
The changes directly effecting you:
- From 1 July 2026, firearm licences will be limited to a maximum of 2 years,
- A valid safe storage inspection will be required before a Permit to Acquire (PTA) can be submitted (we were already actively doing this, but apparently some clubs were approving PTAs without enforcing this rule.)
Changes effecting you in the background:
- Additional terrorism-related eligibility checks will apply to PTA applications
- Identity verification requirements for licences and permits will be strengthened
- Certain criminal intelligence decisions may be delegated to senior police
This is in addition to the rule changes already in effect from 24 December 2025 include new firearm limits (10 per person, per genuine reason) for PTA applications and the removal of most NCAT appeal pathways for firearms-related decisions.
Members planning to apply for a PTA should more than ever before make sure their safe storage inspection is current. There are already big delays to PTA applications and the advice we have been given is that instead of allowing for corrections when people make mistakes, FAR are just declining any PTA with an issue.
For full details, please refer to the NSW Police Firearms Registry information.
Kind regards,
Blacktown Pistol Club