Police minister defends NSW gun buyback amid questions over illegal firearms and gang violence

Key points

• New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community.
• Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state.
• Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.