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 NSW.
We, SSAA NSW (Sporting Shooters Association Australia NSW), SIFA (Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia) and NSWFDA (New South Wales Firearms Dealers Association) recognise the anger, distress and frustration felt throughout our community. These reactions are understandable. However, as representative organisations, our responsibility is to pursue pathways that are grounded in fact, evidence and have a realistic prospect of achieving outcomes that genuinely protect our members and industry.
We are united in our view that decisions of consequence, particularly those involving legal action, must be based on strategically sound advice, and not on assumptions about what might succeed or hypothetical legal arguments.
What We Agree On
- 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; division weakens influence and outcomes.
- Member and industry funds must be safeguarded and used responsibly.
Our Approach
We are aware that there is a strong desire 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, not conjecture
- Capable of delivering a realistic prospect of success
- Proportionate to the financial, strategic and reputational risk involved
We are currently examining a range of legal avenues, each of which is being assessed on the merits of the advice received. Should a legal remedy to the issues that we face exist, this process will identify it, and we will vigorously pursue it.
Throughout this stage, we are cautious of acting prematurely or speculatively, so we can maximise the success and impact of any path we take. We are mindful that failed legal action does not simply end a case; but it can entrench poor outcomes, limit future opportunities for reform and weaken the position of the very community it seeks to protect.
Where Our Focus Is Now
While primary legislation has passed, critical decisions remain outstanding. These include:
- Regulations
- Implementation and operational guidance where we can be effective
- Transitional arrangements for our shooting and firearm communities
- 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, evidence-based engagement can still make a meaningful difference.
Our Commitment
We remain united, engaged and committed to protecting lawful firearms ownership, sporting participation and industry viability in New South Wales.
We will continue to:
- Advocate firmly but responsibly
- Keep members and stakeholders informed
- Rigorously assess all credible legal and regulatory options
- Act when action is justified by evidence and has a genuine prospect of success
Measured action today preserves the ability to act decisively tomorrow from a position of strength, credibility and unity.
