Helen Dalton MP calls for calm, sensible gun law reform that respects rural NSW

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton MP, has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to reconsider proposed gun law reforms, warning that rushed, reactionary changes will unfairly punish law-abiding rural communities while failing to address real public safety risks. 

“No one — absolutely no one — wants dangerous people to have firearms,” Ms Dalton said. 

Ms Dalton said the tragic events at Bondi had understandably prompted a strong emotional response, but Parliament had a responsibility to legislate carefully. 

 
“But in the rush to be seen to act, we must not do the wrong thing.” 

“In recent days, hundreds of law-abiding firearm owners have contacted my office. Their concerns are genuine and they deserve to be heard.” 

Ms Dalton said more than 10,000 licensed firearm owners live in her electorate of Murray, including farmers, pest controllers, stockmen and rural workers who rely on firearms as everyday tools. 

“In rural NSW, guns are like shovels. They are tools we use to get things done,” she said. 
“We are overrun by feral animals. Only a city-centric politician could ignore this problem.” 

“My own property is inundated with feral pigs and other pests. How are we supposed to manage biosecurity, animal welfare and food production if lawful access to appropriate firearms is restricted?” 

Ms Dalton warned that reactionary gun laws would have serious consequences for pest control, animal welfare and rural livelihoods. 

“Treating farmers and people in rural NSW like criminals is unacceptable — but that is exactly what the NSW Government is doing right now,” she said. 

She said arbitrary numerical limits on firearms ignored the realities of rural land management. 

“One property may legitimately require different firearms for rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, pigs, deer, goats or birds,” Ms Dalton said. 

 
“Each firearm has a specific, regulated purpose. A one-size-fits-all cap ignores this reality entirely.” 

Ms Dalton also raised serious concerns about systemic failures highlighted by the Bondi tragedy, questioning whether existing licensing, information-sharing and oversight processes had failed. 

“The key issue is not lawful firearm ownership,” she said. 
“It is how the system failed — and why those failures are not being properly examined.” 

“Why won’t the Premier’s Office answer whether a firearms prohibition order was in place? That is a simple question, and the answer matters.” 

Ms Dalton stressed that licensed rural firearm owners are not the source of gun crime. 

“The evidence is clear. Licensed rural owners are not responsible for gun violence. Illicit firearms in cities are the real problem,” she said. 

She said rural firearm owners already comply with strict licensing, storage and inspection requirements and should not be scapegoated for failures elsewhere. 

“Rural New South Wales will not accept being blamed for systemic failures it did not cause,” Ms Dalton said. 

Ms Dalton has called for proposed gun law changes to be referred to a parliamentary committee to allow proper consultation, scrutiny and evidence-based reform. 

“Good law is not rushed. Good law is examined,” she said. 
“That is what happened after Port Arthur, when reforms were developed in consultation with industry and stakeholders.” 

“If this Government is serious about public safety, it should focus on illegal importation, criminal trafficking and unlicensed possession — not increasing red tape for people who already follow the law.” 

“For the sake of public safety — and for the sake of fairness — this Parliament must get this right.”