Protecting hearing and better animal welfare concerns drive demand to keep firearms suppressors, with NSW Farmers delegates passing a resolution calling for licensed primary producers to be allowed to possess and use them for agricultural pest and livestock work.
The resolution, RA09, was passed at the NSW Farmers conference after delegates heard that suppressors could reduce firearm noise for farmers and workers undertaking repeated pest control activities, minimise disturbance to livestock and neighbours, and improve the effectiveness of feral-animal control.
During debate, it was raised that the NSW government has revoked suppressor permits entirely. A speaker stated that licence holders “have been told that the police will be knocking on their door to reclaim them within the matter of weeks.”
NSW Police denied this, saying that silencer permits are still available.
“If an applicant applies for a silencer permit under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and relies on the genuine reason of ‘business/employment purposes’, they must demonstrate that it is necessary in the conduct of their business or employment to possess or use a silencer. “
Farmers must be able to produce evidence to the Firearms Registry that they satisfy that requirement when applying for the permit, and each time they renew.
“In accordance with the Act, applications to ‘renew’ a silencer permit are applications for a new permit,” the NSW Police spokesperson said.
“Applicants seeking to ‘renew’ their permit must therefore meet the requirements stated above each time they apply.”
NSW Police says that determining whether the statutory requirements for issuing a silencer permit have been met, including that the applicant has demonstrated necessity, the Firearms Registry applies the Act and has regard to recent decisions of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. These include Formosa v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2024] NSWCATAD 132, Burke v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2024] NSWCATAD 260, Gale v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2026] NSWCATAD 90, and Garland v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2026] NSWCATAD 137.
The push to maintain the right to use suppressors comes as firearm laws have been considerably tightened following the Chanukah Massacre at Bondi Beach. A more general resolution at the conference opposed all the non-evidence-based changes to legislation following the terrorist attack.
During the debate, “We know we’re up against a brick wall for whatever reason via past events that have happened in the last 12 months,” Ross Durham said.
“But I think if we keep knocking on this door for response, responsible use for licensed firearm owners, I think we should keep pursuing it”
Delegates also passed motions calling for appropriately licensed full-time farm employees to have access to the same firearm categories as their primary-producer employer when required for legitimate farm operations, and for recreational hunters who assist farmers with pest control to have firearm access requirement similar to those of primary producers.
The debate acknowledged the difficulties of firearm laws in the context of the Bondi Beach attack, but was clear that farmers needed ongoing access to firearms to manage their properties.
“We know we’re up against a brick wall for whatever reason via past events that have happened in the last 12 months,” Ross Durham said.
“But I think if we keep knocking on this door for responsible use for licensed firearm owners, I think we should keep pursuing it.”
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