Top cop David Hudson appointed as new head of NSW gun registry

Gun owners will be given a direct line to police hierarchy with Deputy Commissioner David Hudson to take control of the NSW Firearms Registry. The overhaul follows the murders of siblings Jack and Jennifer Edwards, shot by their father John.

• Edwards had gun permit reserved for visiting FBI agents
• Dad’s ‘all out’ final target practice before family attack

Extra police will be stationed at the state Firearms Registry with gun owners getting a direct line to a high-ranking officer under moves to stop weapons falling into “dangerous hands”.

The entire registry will also be brought under the control of Deputy Commissioner, Investigations and Counter Terrorism, David Hudson.

More than a year since John Edwards shot dead his son Jack, 15, and daughter Jennifer, 13, before turning his gun on himself, the state government has moved to create greater oversight of the registry.

Deputy Commissioner David Hudson will take control of the NSW Firearms Registry.

Central to the changes is the greater sharing of information between the registry and police, with a yet-to-be appointed assistant commissioner to fill the role of corporate sponsor who will serve as a high-ranking point of contact for the public.

The Edwards murders raised serious questions about the operations of the registry after it emerged Edwards was able to participate in handgun training after obtaining a special permit, despite having been rejected from a pistols club over questions of character.

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Police Minister David Elliott said the registry would now have stronger ties with police to ensure guns did not fall into dangerous hands.

The appointment of Mr Hudson would also enhance the collaboration and information sharing between the registry and police in significant police matters, he said.

“We have to be ever vigilant and ensure that dangerous people do not get access to

firearms while ensuring those who follow the rules receive the best available customer

service possible,” he said.

“The registry is now working under the leadership of a decorated police officer, David

Hudson, who has an elite understanding of police operations.

Jack Edwards, 15, shot dead by his father John Edwards.

Jennifer Edwards, 13, was also murdered by her father.

“This will ensure the registry is better placed to perform background checks, ensure safe storage and seize firearms from licence holders.”

The extra police will be charged with initiating the seizure of firearms, licence suspensions and revocations.

In a move to improve compliance, gun owners whose licences are set to expire within a week will also receive direct SMS notifications.

The corporate sponsor role will allow the public to have a police liaison if they are unhappy with the progress of their inquiries with the registry.

John Edwards murdered both his children before killing himself.

Edwards killed his children to get back at estranged wife Olga Edwards. She would later take her own life.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the changes would ensure consistent adjudication for community safety and legitimate firearm users.

“Firearms compliance and regulation is a critical issue for NSW police force,” he said. “Clearly, we must have robust and thorough processes in place when it comes to the scrutiny

and monitoring of people with firearms licences as well as enforcement of breaches of

the legislation.”

Police Minister David Elliott with Police Minister Mick Fuller.

Other changes include online communication campaigns about licence holder obligations and revised standard operating procedures and training for risk-based firearms safe storage inspections.

These improvements follow the release of the Auditor General’s 2019 Performance Audit of the Firearms Registry, with all 10 recommendations either completed or nearing completion by the police.