Wayne and Noah Smith gun deaths inquest calls for licensing reform

Australia Broadcast Center

16-06-2025

A coronial inquest has heard of the need for reforms to NSW gun licensing after a mentally unwell man was handed back his guns less than six months before he used one to kill his son and then himself.
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
Wayne Smith killed his 15-year-old son Noah as he lay sleeping in their Yamba home in the early hours of June 1, 2023, before turning the weapon on himself.
State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan has heard testimony from doctors, police and the NSW Firearms Registry about the circumstances that led to the 58-year-old being reissued with his gun licence despite having a history of mental illness.
In her closing statement to the inquest, Counsel Assisting, Donna Ward SC, made several recommendations to improve gun licensing processes, including making it mandatory for GPs to report concerns about patients who own a gun.
Ms Ward said there had been a breakdown in communication between the health professionals who had been treating Mr Smith.
"We don't have any simple solutions to that problem," she said.
The inquest also heard about a lack of community and hospital options in northern News South Wales for mental health treatment.
Ms Ward said that at the time of Wayne and Noah Smith's deaths there were deficiencies in NSW Firearms Registry processes.
Since then, the Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 has enacted new laws relating to gun ownership and licensing.
Ms Ward made a series of proposed recommendations for the Minister for Police and the Police Commissioner to consider in the post implementation review of those reforms.
These included a standard question during GP consultations about whether a patient held a gun licence, and a statutory obligation for GPs to report to police if they had safety concerns for a patient who held a gun licence.
She also proposed two separate mental health risk assessments for anyone who had experienced suicidal ideation in the previous five years.
Ms Ward proposed gun licence holders be required to give a good reason for acquiring any additional firearms, and the Firearms Registry be more rigorous in assessing hunting and vermin control as the genuine reason for the issue of a gun licence.
Family of Wayne and Noah Smith made submissions to the inquest in closed court this afternoon.
The Coroner will hand down formal recommendations arising from the inquest in coming months.