Federal government claims some states standing in the way of ‘getting those guns off our streets’

The Australian federal government has accused state and territory leaders who refuse to join a proposed national gun buyback scheme of obstructing efforts to remove dangerous weapons from circulation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese set an end-of-March deadline for establishing what would be Australia's largest gun buyback program in 30 years, but roughly half the nation's state and territory governments have declined to participate. The disagreement reflects a broader tension between federal and state authority over gun policy in Australia, where such buyback programs have historically been contentious political issues. States refusing to sign on risk being publicly blamed for blocking a major public safety initiative that the federal government frames as essential to reducing armed violence. The deadline's passage without full participation suggests the scheme may proceed with only partial state cooperation, potentially limiting its effectiveness and reach.