The NSW government will introduce the "toughest firearm reforms" in the country this week in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Premier Chris Minns today said the government will crack down on hate and strengthen public safety with the introduction of legislation that is set to drastically change how Australians in the state can get their hands on guns.
After kicking off an emergency session of state parliament, Minns confirmed there is a tranche of reforms he hopes will be passed before Christmas.
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"It does restrict access to high-risk weapons, strengthening licences, storage and oversight regimes in the state," Minns said.
"I know that this legislative change will be met with opposition both on the floor of parliament and in the community.
"On many of the measures that we are proposing, I've heard members of the public say that we have gone too far, but I'd strongly believe that these changes to law and legislation in NSW are fundamentally important to keep the people of this state safe."
Minns acknowledged the new laws were "extraordinary measures" but said they were crucial in protecting NSW residents from more gun violence.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she has no doubt similar changes will be adopted by other Australian states and territories.
There are 1.1 million legally owned guns in NSW alone and Catley said the government aims to shrink this number.
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"Reducing the number of those, particularly for recreational shooters, I think is reasonable," Catley said.
"We know that many are good law-abiding gun licence holders.
"We know that. But, we also have to acknowledge the harm that can be caused by guns and for that reason, we have introduced these legislative reforms."
Tough new laws will also ban public displays of terrorist symbols, outlaw incitement to violence - including the phrase "globalise the infitada" - and give police stronger powers during public assemblies.
"We cannot pretend that the world is the same as it was before that terrorist incident on Sunday," Minns added.
"This is a huge burden that we feel on our shoulders and it will require legislative and further reforms early next year."
Chief executive of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation Sarah Davies spoke on behalf of Walter Mikac, who lost his family in the 1996 Port Arthur mass shooting.
Davies said that Mikac welcomed the NSW government's swift response to changing firearm laws.
"The people of NSW expect their gun laws to be as strong as possible and today, the Minns government has taken important steps to meet that responsibility," she said.
"Like all Australians, my heart is with the families of the victims, the survivors and Australia's Jewish community.
"I stand in love and in solidarity with all those affected by this unspeakable violence. I know the life-long cost of violence and loss."
Australia's largest gun buyback scheme since the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre will also launched following the Bondi Beach attack.
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