NSW Premier Chris Minns recollects parliament earlier than Christmas to tighten gun legal guidelines

NSW Parliament will be urgently recalled on December 22 and 23 as the Minns government moves to strengthen gun laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. 

Premier Chris Minns said on Wednesday the changes are vital to ‘keep the community safe’. 

‘We’re proposing a bill which hasn’t been finally drafted, but we’ll share with the opposition as soon as possible,’ Minns said. 

The legislation will aim to cap the number of firearms, reclassify straight shotguns, ban belt-fed magazines, and remove the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) as an appeal mechanism for revoked gun licences.

‘At the moment, NSW Police routinely yank licences from holders they suspect are a threat, but those appeals are heard in NCAT and often overturned,’ Minns said.

‘We’ll extinguish that appeal pathway.’

The government aims to pass the bill before Christmas.

Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire from a footbridge at the Sydney beach on Sunday night, killing 15 people who were among those attending a Hanukkah celebration. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) said the NSW Parliament would return on December 22

Minns also confirmed the government is considering new laws to restrict protests during terrorism incidents declared by NSW Police. 

Under the proposed reforms, the Police Commissioner would have power to reject protest applications if they risk overstretching police resources or escalating tensions.

Minns warned that last-minute court decisions should not force police to divert resources from critical operations. 

Premier Chris Minns stressed that proposed protest restrictions would apply universally during terrorism designations and not to ‘particular group’. 

‘There are opportunities to come together,’ Minns said. 

‘But slogans or marches must not tip into hate speech and exacerbate an already difficult environment.’

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced the Bondi Beach crime scene would remain closed longer than expected as investigators continue their work. 

‘The crime scene we had hoped to release today has taken longer to process than we anticipated,’ Lanyon said. 

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon (pictured) said now was ‘not a time for retribution’

‘It will be returned from the homicide squad back to the local police area command this afternoon.’ 

Lanyon explained that several steps must take place before the park and surrounding areas can reopen. 

‘The first is the Zakar, a Jewish religious process that will take place,’ Lanyon said.

‘Then Fire and Rescue NSW will process the crime scene. It’s really important that when we return the park and the surrounds, the amenity people expect is there. The last thing we want to do is further traumatise members of the public.’

Families of the victims will be offered the chance to walk through the scene as a mark of respect. 

Commissioner Lanyon also urged calm in the community.

‘This is not a time for retribution,’ he said. 

‘This is a time for calm, a time for respect, and a time for peace. The last thing we need in the community at the moment is division.’