In New South Wales, a firearms manufacturer running for One Nation is opposing post-Bondi gun laws that banned his rifles. Jeff Bacon, managing director of Oceania Precision, is second on One Nation's upper house ticket for the March state election. He aims to repeal gun laws introduced after the Bondi beach massacre, arguing that every rifle he produces was banned in the state.
Who is Jeff Bacon?
Jeff Bacon is the managing director of Oceania Precision, a weapons manufacturer based in Tamworth. He has a history of political involvement, having run as the lower house candidate for Tamworth with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party in 2019. He joined the Nationals in 2023 before defecting to One Nation. One Nation's NSW leader, Mike Newman, described Bacon as "not only a firearms owner, but he is also a manufacturer and also he is an innovator" with "patents across the world".
Opposition to Post-Bondi Gun Laws
The gun laws in question were introduced following the Bondi beach massacre, a tragic event that led to stricter firearm regulations in New South Wales. Bacon argues that these laws unfairly target legal firearms manufacturers and owners. He claims that "every single one" of the rifles he produces at Oceania Precision was banned under the new legislation. This has motivated him to enter politics to fight for the repeal of these laws.
Political Campaign and Goals
Bacon's candidacy was announced in Tamworth, where he hosted a One Nation forum on firearms legislation. The event was attended by gun lobby groups, local gun clubs, and prominent figures such as Newman and federal MP Barnaby Joyce. Bacon stated that running for parliament again "wasn't a hard decision," though he would prefer to focus on his business. He is committed to doing everything he can to fight for the repeal of the legislation.
Comparison of Gun Laws Before and After Bondi
| Aspect | Before Bondi | After Bondi |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Firearms Allowed | Broader range, including certain semi-automatics | Restricted, with bans on specific models |
| Licensing Requirements | Standard background checks | Stricter checks and mandatory training |
| Impact on Manufacturers | Fewer restrictions on production | Bans on certain models, affecting businesses like Oceania Precision |
Key Takeaways
- Jeff Bacon is a firearms manufacturer and One Nation candidate for NSW.
- He opposes post-Bondi gun laws that banned his rifles.
- He aims to repeal these laws if elected.
- His campaign has support from One Nation leaders and gun lobby groups.
FAQ
What are the post-Bondi gun laws?
The post-Bondi gun laws are stricter firearm regulations introduced in New South Wales following the Bondi beach massacre. They include bans on certain types of rifles and stricter licensing requirements.
Why does Jeff Bacon oppose these laws?
Bacon opposes the laws because they banned all the rifles he manufactures at Oceania Precision, impacting his business and what he sees as unfair targeting of legal firearms manufacturers.
What is Jeff Bacon's political affiliation?
Jeff Bacon is a member of One Nation and is running as their candidate for the New South Wales upper house in the March state election.