Apprehended ­violence order subjects to be banned from obtaining gun licence

ANYONE who has been the subject of an apprehended ­violence order would be banned from obtaining a gun licence under options being discussed by top police and the NSW government amid an estranged father murdering his two teenage kids.

ANYONE who has been the subject of an apprehended ­violence order would be banned from obtaining a gun licence under options being discussed by top police and the NSW government

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Police Minister Troy Grant held urgent talks yesterday about how to respond to the shooting murder of two teenagers by their ­estranged father.

John Edwards, 67, legally bought the handguns he used to kill his son Jack, 15, and daughter Jennifer, 13, shortly after an AVO against him that prevented him from owning firearms for 10 years expired.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Police Minister Troy Grant held urgent talks yesterday on how to respond to the deaths of two teenage siblings. Picture: John Feder

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Among the options considered by Commissioner Fuller and Mr Grant was whether community expectations are that “10 years isn’t harsh enough”.

A full ban would give NSW the country’s toughest firearms laws. Also under discussion is improving information sharing between police and the family and federal courts.

Currently, the Department of Family and Community Services does not automatically tell police about children that have been flagged as “at risk.”

One option is those who have been subject to an AVO will be banned from obtaining a gun licence/

It can also be revealed $1 million is being spent on overhauling the firearms application process to bring it online — reducing 27 paper forms to four digital ones ­administered by Service NSW.

“We are using digital technology to improve and strengthen security around the application process,” Services Minister Victor Dominello said.

The new system would not reduce identity and background checks.

Coward John Edwards, 68, shot dead both his teenage kids. Picture: AAP Image/supplied

“Decisions relating to who is eligible to obtain a firearm and under what circumstances will remain solely with experts at the NSW Firearms Registry,” he said.

Service NSW will authenticate a person’s identity before the form can progress.

It is expected the digitisation will reduce human error in processing the forms.

It can also be revealed Mr Fuller will soon appoint a new head of the registry after the retirement of its long-term ­director, Supt Barry Lyons.