Tougher laws aimed at illegal firearm use in NSW have been compared to the Australian gun reforms championed by the late Tim Fischer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The legislation tabled in NSW Parliament looked to strengthen rules to stop the illegal manufacture of firearms or prohibited weapons and provides more specific powers for police conducting firearm raids.
Albury MP Justin Clancy said Mr Fischer's work on federal gun laws "is his most powerful legacy".
"It has been 24 years since the Coalition introduced gun reform laws during the period of rawness and grief that followed the Port Arthur massacre," he said.
"Mr Fischer was the senior person representing regional Australia in those debates and his leadership was crucial when taking on the immense challenge of channelling that community grief into a commitment to introducing life-saving legislation.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Let us not forget that this was a time when gun licensing and gun reform were not always popular subjects to raise.
"Nevertheless, Mr Fischer took to the streets to persuade Australians, in particular regional Australians, to rise to the task.
"His vision turned out to be correct and Australia is a safer society than it might have been otherwise."
Mr Fischer was credited after his death in August last year with saving lives through his role in the gun reforms.
Mr Clancy said the proposed NSW legislation was about safeguarding his legacy, because needs have changed over time.
He said the legislation would not place an unfair burden on farmers who need to use firearms.
"It is important to ensure that our efforts are focused on those who are involved in criminal activity and are not to the detriment of lawabiding Australians," he said.