'Only as strong as the weakest state': National gun buyback scheme hits major snag

The federal government's ambitious plan for universal gun reform has hit a major snag.

After announcing Australia's biggest gun buyback scheme in 30 years in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, the government has failed to unite all Australian states and territories before the March deadline.

The scheme was expected to lead to the seizure and destruction of hundreds of thousands of "surplus, newly banned and illegal" firearms.

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But four months on, and despite funding legislation passing the Senate, only New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have signed up.

It presents a key barrier for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's sweeping legislation after he admitted the country's gun laws are "only as strong as the weakest state".

Queensland and the Northern Territory opposed the buyback scheme after the government suggested a split payment model.

Both states are against limiting the number of guns a person can own.

Queensland's Premier David Crisafulli had been a vocal opponent of the scheme, claiming in January that it won't focus on antisemitism and getting guns out of the hands of terrorists.

Albanese hit back and said Crisafulli's rejection of the scheme was not "in the interests of Queenslanders or the nation".

Queensland has the second-highest rate of gun ownership in Australia, while the biggest concentration of firearms is in NSW.

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NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she would not support the buyback scheme if the territory was forced to fund it.

"I make no apology for putting the best interests of Territorians first," Finocchiaro said in January.

In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan has remained non-commital as she awaits a review into the state's current gun laws.

And South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is also yet to commit to a buyback.

Malinauskas reportedly assured gun lobbyists that he had no plans to tighten the state's gun control ahead of the March state election, The Guardian reports.

Western Australia kicked off its own voluntary firearm buyback scheme, which saw over 83,000 guns surrendered by January 20.

The Tasmanian government is also implementing its own voluntary buyback scheme.

Obstinance from the four states who have either opposed or avoided committing to the federal government's scheme will block a key part of Labor's sweeping gun reforms introduced after 15 innocent people were killed on December 15.

The PM had asked states and territories to commit to the new gun law reforms no later than March.

He committed to legislation by July and proposed that all states and territories be responsible for the collection, processing and payment of surrendered firearms, with the government funding costs on a 50:50 basis.

The Australian Federal Police will be responsible for the destruction of the guns.

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