New Gun Safe system for NSW Firearms Registry after John Edwards tragedy

It took the tragedy of evil dad John Edwards, who shot dead his two children, for the NSW Firearms Registry to get rid of pen and paper and start using computers.

The state's Firearms Registry finally has a computer system that automatically red flags dangerous people, including domestic violence offenders, who should not be given a gun licence.

Incredibly it took the tragedy of evil dad John Edwards — who shot dead his two children after being given a gun licence despite a history of violence against them and his wife — for the registry to get rid of pen and paper.

New NSW Firearms Registry boss Superintendent Cameron Lindsay said the “Gun Safe” computer system had built-in decision-making tools that pulled information from many databases to pick up domestic and personal violence, mental health or terrorism matters and determine if an applicant was a fit and proper person to get a licence.

Superintendent Cameron Lindsay is the new boss of the NSW Firearms Registry.

“It has revolutionised how we do business,” Supt Lindsay said.

“It does take away a lot of human error that can occur.”

It means the decision is not just left in the hands of individual clerks, some of whom were criticised at the inquest into the deaths of Jack and Jennifer Edwards in their West Pennant Hills home in 2018.

Their father, who also had a record of violence against his six ex-wives and partners, shot himself dead. Their mother later committed suicide.

Supt Lindsay revealed the Gun Safe system was one of the major changes to the registry which include a complete restructure, formal training for the first time for staff when deciding who gets a licence, a recruitment drive and a Firearms Registry Consultative Council which was set up in April.

Jack, 15, and Jennifer Edwards, 13 who were killed by their father John Edwards.

The council brings together police, industry experts, farmers, dealers, shooting organisations and safety advocates and encourages gun clubs to speak up if they have concerns about potential members, as two clubs had when they blocked Edwards’ membership but felt they couldn’t alert the registry because of privacy and defamation issues.

There is also “Operation Exert” where registry staff visit metro and regional areas to help with auditing dealers and training in the conduct of safe gun storage.

The transformation of the registry began under Supt Tony Bell who was appointed the boss three months after the Edwards tragedy.

Supt Bell told the inquest into their deaths of systemic failures in the registry and said confusion reigned.

John Edwards, who murdered his children in cold blood.

Superintendent Lindsay, former Acting Commander of the Richmond Police District, said there had been a raft of significant changes and it was now about moving forward.

Since the system was computerised in February, it has dealt with 60,000 transactions which were previously filed by hand.

“With it now being digitised, it very much a streamlined and efficient process and it allows us to be consistent in the adjudication process. That is the key point,” he said.

“The overriding principle is public safety.”

One clerk now takes responsibility for the whole licence process of an applicant instead of previously when each had a different role.

The Edwards inquest heard evidence from one clerk who said it had not been her role to point out to her bosses that there were alleged assault, domestic violence, alleged stalking, AVOs and a “children at risk” report against John Edwards name.

NSW has 250,000 gun licence holders and over 1 million registered firearms with over 700 dealers, 600 firearms clubs and over 300 gun range facilities.