Jointly issued by industry and membership organisations – SSAA NSW, SIFA and NSWFDA; representing lawful firearms owners, sporting shooters and firearms businesses in New South Wales.

Recent events and the legislative changes that followed have created significant uncertainty for lawful firearms owners, sporting shooters and firearms businesses across New South Wales.

SSAA NSW, the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia and the New South Wales Firearms Dealers Association acknowledge the anger, distress and frustration felt across the community. These reactions are understandable. As representative organisations, we have a responsibility to pursue pathways grounded in fact and evidence and that offer a realistic prospect of achieving outcomes that genuinely protect members and the wider industry.

There is a shared view that decisions of consequence, particularly those involving potential legal action, must be based on strategically sound advice rather than assumptions about what might succeed or hypothetical legal arguments.

What Is Agreed

• Lawful firearms owners, sporting shooters and firearms businesses are not responsible for acts of criminal violence or extremism.
• The recent reforms are serious and far-reaching, and their real-world impacts should have been properly understood before irreversible decisions were made.
• Unity across shooters, dealers and industry bodies is essential, as division weakens influence and outcomes.
• Member and industry funds must be safeguarded and used responsibly.

Approach

There is strong sentiment within parts of the community to immediately pursue legal action. However, desire alone is not a substitute for legal merit. Any legal action must be based on clearly defined and defensible legal grounds, supported by evidence rather than conjecture, capable of delivering a realistic prospect of success, and proportionate to the financial, strategic and reputational risk involved.

A range of legal avenues is currently being examined, with each assessed on the merits of the advice received. Should a viable legal remedy exist, this process will identify it and allow for decisive action to be taken.

Caution is being exercised to avoid premature or speculative action. Failed legal proceedings do not simply end a case. They can entrench poor outcomes, limit future opportunities for reform and weaken the position of the very community they seek to protect.

Current Focus

While primary legislation has passed, critical decisions remain outstanding. These include regulations, implementation and operational guidance, transitional arrangements for shooting and firearms communities, and compliance frameworks affecting licence holders, clubs and businesses.

This phase presents the most immediate and practical opportunity to influence outcomes. It is where informed, coordinated and evidence-based engagement can still make a meaningful difference.

Commitment

The organisations involved remain united, engaged and committed to protecting lawful firearms ownership, sporting participation and industry viability in New South Wales.

This includes continued firm but responsible advocacy, keeping members and stakeholders informed, rigorous assessment of all credible legal and regulatory options, and acting when action is justified by evidence and presents a genuine prospect of success.

Measured action today preserves the ability to act decisively tomorrow from a position of strength, credibility and unity.