A three month Review of the NSW Firearms Registry will be conducted to ensure that processes around the licensing of firearms are robust, timely, and efficient.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole announced the Review to be headed up by former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie.
“Mr McKechnie retired from the NSW Police Force in September last year after a decorated career spanning 33 years, and he’s the ideal person to carry out this Review,” Mr Toole said.
“He started and ended his career in regional NSW and firearms are a key tool of trade for many people living on the land, ensuring Mr McKechnie’s experience and input will help guide any recommendations to improve the operation of the NSW Firearms Registry.”
“A number of improvements have already been made to the workings of the Registry, and this review will examine other steps that could be taken to ensure the privilege of gun ownership and licensing is balanced against the need to assess applications in a thorough but timely manner,” Mr Toole said.
Recent improvements to the NSW Firearms Registry include the online Gun Safe platform for customers and dealers which provides more information in real-time, with further enhancements to this functionality over the next 18 months.
The Registry oversees as many as 245,000 licence holders and over one million registered firearms across NSW.
The Review’s Terms of Reference include assessing the decision-making in licensing operations and frameworks; assess further opportunities to enhance the Registry’s effectiveness through potential I-T solutions; and assess the sorts of controls and safeguards in place for handling sensitive information.
The McKechnie Review will consult with a broad range of stakeholders as part of its work, and will also consider best practice options that may exist in other Australian jurisdictions.
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