The ammunition control bill will become law after being shunted through NSW parliament yesterday, and it is expected to be in force within 28 days.
It will restrict all licensed firearm owners to purchasing ammunition only for the guns they own, a condition the O’Farrell Government claimed will prevent drive-by shootings in Sydney but which all sides of politics condemned as a useless gesture.
“The bill still went through, despite our protestations, and we’re not happy with that at all,” Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Borsak said.
The controversial bill split the Coalition Government so deeply the National Party did not show up to vote the bill through.
However, with the Liberals having an overwhelming majority in the lower house, plus support from the Labor Party, there was no real opposition to it.
MP Greg Piper voted against it, a fact acknowledged by the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW, which stated today, “it’s doubtful there has been a bill so many government MPs have spoken against but still voted for”.
One of the few provisions that will soften the impact for law-abiding firearm owners is the ability of partners and some employees of primary producers to pay $30 for a permit to acquire ammunition for farmers’ weapons.
However, shooters will no longer be able to buy ammunition for friends, relatives or farmers who host them.
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