Firearms Act 1996 (NSW)

Firearms Act 1996 No 46

An Act to provide for the regulation, control and registration of firearms; to repeal the Firearms Act 1989; to amend the Prohibited Weapons Act 1989; and for related purposes.

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act This Act is the Firearms Act 1996.

2 Commencement (1) This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation. (2) Different days may be appointed for the commencement of section 89 for the purpose of repealing different provisions of the Firearms Act 1989, or the Firearms Regulation 1990, on different days.

3 Principles and objects of Act (1) The underlying principles of this Act are— (a) to confirm firearm possession and use as being a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety, and (b) to improve public safety— (i) by imposing strict controls on the possession and use of firearms, and (ii) by promoting the safe and responsible storage and use of firearms, and (c) to facilitate a national approach to the control of firearms. (2) The objects of this Act are as follows— (a) to prohibit the possession and use of all automatic and self-loading rifles and shotguns except in special circumstances, (b) to establish an integrated licensing and registration scheme for all firearms, (c) to require each person who possesses or uses a firearm under the authority of a licence to prove a genuine reason for possessing or using the firearm, (d) to provide strict requirements that must be satisfied in relation to licensing of firearms and the acquisition and supply of firearms, (e) to ensure that firearms are stored and conveyed in a safe and secure manner, (f) to provide for compensation in respect of, and an amnesty period to enable the surrender of, certain prohibited firearms.