Premier must come clean on firearms plan, cost to all South Australians - SA Nationals

The SA Nationals have called upon Premier Peter Malinauskas to outline just what his government will charge South Australians for Labor's national gun buyback, and what changes his Government will make to state firearms laws if re-elected.

While federal gun buyback legislation passed in Canberra last month, Labor's proposed national buyback - and changes to the number of firearms people can own - depend on State governments implementing the changes and charges. SA Nationals firearms spokesperson Jonathan Pietzsch said with just 43 days until the State Election, all South Australians deserve answers.

"During a cost-of-living crisis, the Premier must tell South Australians how much Labor will hit them in the hip pocket for the Prime Minister's snap gun buyback," candidate for Mackillop Mr Pietzsch said today.

"Conservative estimates are that the buyback will cost at least $1 billion nationwide, but the Shooting Industry Foundation Australia estimates that figure could be as high as $15 billion given the possibly severe restrictions on the number of firearms licensed gun owners can hold. The Prime Minister wants a 50:50 cost split with States, so how much will every South Australian be paying for Canberra's gun buyback, reacting to a preventable tragedy that occurred over 1,300 kilometres away?

The SA Nationals say there is no case to change South Australia's firearms laws, adding the real problem was poor enforcement of existing NSW firearms laws in the leadup to the Bondi tragedy.

"Sporting shooters, hunters and farmers need the number of firearms they have already - there is no evidence base for restricting ownership based on where you live, or your occupation. Every firearm a licence holder owns is owned for a particular, licensed purpose," Mr Pietzsch said.

"Labor has lined up farmers, sporting shooters and firearms enthusiasts as what they think is an easy political target for Labor government failures. The SA Nationals will not stand for it, we oppose the buyback - as The Nationals did in Canberra - and will not support any changes to firearms laws in the next State Parliament."

"The SA Nationals plan is simple. Increase funding for our firearms registry so that our existing, fit-for-purpose legislation is implemented properly and that a preventable tragedy doesn't occur in SA due to a failure of process."