The Firearms Registry Consultative Council (Firearms Council) has been established to create a forum for the regular exchange of information and ideas between those involved in firearms regulation and the NSW Police Force on issues relevant to firearms regulation and public safety.

The Council is a non-statutory body established to identify and discuss opportunities to:

  • Address improvements of and barriers to effective firearm regulation
  • Improve compliance with legislative requirements
  • Collaborate on initiatives and campaigns targeting, or relating to, various firearm matters
  • Share feedback about the Firearms Registry and activities within the firearm sector

The inaugural meeting of the Firearms Council was held in April 2021.

Council Membership

NSW Police Force

  • Chairperson - Assistant Commissioner, Police Prosecutions and Licensing Enforcement Command PPLEC)
  • Commander, Firearms Registry
  • Manager, Operations & Policy, Firearms Registry
  • Director, Legislation & Policy Branch, Office of the Commissioner

Firearm Sector Membership, including:

  • NSW Peak Firearm Associations
  • National advocacy or industry groups
  • Museum or collecting groups
  • Firearm dealer industry
  • Primary producer industry groups
  • Gun control, victim services, public health, legal advocates

Membership Vacancies

When a membership vacancy becomes available, a request for Expressions of Interest will be communicated to relevant industry representatives.

How are Council members selected?

The selection of firearm sector members for Firearms Registry Consultative Council membership is based on the following criteria:

  • the nominee’s relevant expertise and experience
  • the nominee’s active participation in, and commitment to, firearm regulation
  • the nominee’s willingness to seek and represent the views of other participants
  • how the nominee has demonstrated their personal commitment to improving the operation of the firearm regulatory regime
  • any other relevant skills, qualities and/or qualifications they possess

Gender equity and member diversity will be taken into account in keeping with the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Appointment Standards Boards and Committees in the NSW Public Sector July 2013. This document is available at www.boards.dpc.nsw.gov.au.

Current industry representatives
BENDLE, Stephen
Alannah & Madeline Foundation
  • Alannah & Madeline Foundation – Advocacy Manager
  • Australian Gun Safety Alliance – Convenor
  • Member of the Queensland Ministerial Firearms Advisory Forum
  • Commonwealth Gun Safety Advocates Consultation
BRITTON, Paul
NSW Firearms Dealers Association
  • 20 years firearms dealer, importer and theatrical armourer
  • National Firearms Dealers Association – Vice President
  • Federal Firearms Consultation group member
  • Firearms working group / legislation stakeholder group member
BRYANT, Gary 
Firearm Safety and Training Council Ltd   
NSW Shooting Association Ltd 

  • Executive Officer NSW Shooting Association Ltd
  • CEO Firearms Safety & Training Council Ltd
  • State delegate for the sport of shooting to the NSW Olympic Committee and NSW Commonwealth Games
  • Former Army Officer & graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon
CHEERS, Brian
NSW Amateur Pistol Association (NSWAPA)
  • NSWAPA Executive member for 25 years – President for 21 years
FETTELL, Catherine 
President - Shooting Australia 
  • International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Executive Committee Member and Administrative Council Member
  • Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Executive Member
  • Shooting Australia delegate to Ocean Shooting Federation (OSF)
  • Member of the Australian Government Firearms Community Group
  • WA1500 World Association PPC Treasurer
GRANT, Garry
NSW Farmers Association
  • Executive Councillor and Chair of the Rural Affairs Committee
  • Primary producer livestock management, feral animal control and forestry
  • Member of the Rural Crime Advisory Group
  • Secretary / Treasurer Southern Tablelands Branch NSW Farmers
JOHNSON, Peter
Federation of Hunting Clubs/Nepean Hunters Club Inc.
  • Past president of the Federation of Hunting Clubs
  • Life member of Nepean Hunters Club Inc.
  • Jointly pioneered Hunter Education Program – for mentoring new hunters
  • NSW firearms safety trainer and SNWDPI game license trainer / tester
LARSSON, Stephen
Senior Analyst
  • Firearms Registry Stakeholder Committee (Legislation Group) (former appointment)
  • Game Council of New South Wales (former appointment)
  • Animal Welfare Advisory Council (former appointment)
MILLER, Lance
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (NSW) Limited
  • President of SSAA Inc. (responsible for international forums and affiliations)
  • Director of Industry Training Specialists Pty Ltd
  • National competition and international team selection, hunting and feral pest management programs and conservation program and collecting
NEGIN, Joel
University of Sydney, School of Public Health
  • Professor and Head of School
SZAAK, Peter 
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (NSW) Limited
  • SSAA NSW Firearms Regulatory & Compliance Manager
  • SSAA Trainer/Assessor
  • Former Senior Manager Industry & Regulation (NSWFR)
  • Retired NSW Police Inspector
QUINN, Tim
Gun Control Australia
  • Gun Control Australia treasurer
  • Delivery of Gun Control Australia’s Federal and State advocacy program
WALSH, James
CEO - Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia Limited (SIFA)
  • Former President - SSAA (NSW) Sydney Branch Inc.
  • Firearm safety training instructor
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries – Hunter LEAP trainer
  • 20 years management experience within the firearms industry
  • Active competitive shooter and hunter

Contact the Council
Attn: The Secretariat
Firearms Registry Consultative Council
Locked Bag 5102
Parramatta NSW 2124