Felix Ellis gun survey results revealed

By Simon McGuire
Tasmanian Country
28 Feb 2026
Felix Ellis

Close to 6400 people have responded to a survey conducted by Police Minister Felix Ellis’ office on firearms.

The majority of respondents strongly supported stronger penalties for firearm theft and illegal possession, a focus on preventing criminals from getting firearms as a priority for reform, citizenship requirements for firearm owners, and more information sharing by ASIO and other security agencies with firearm licencing authorities.

A majority strongly opposed caps on the number of firearms that can be owned by farmers, sporting shooters and recreational hunters, and the federal government’s proposed gun buyback scheme.

Other survey questions garnered a more mixed response.

When asked if they supported the acceleration of the creation of the National Firearms Register, 27 per cent strongly supported it, 18 per cent somewhat supported it, 24 per cent were neutral, 8 per cent somewhat opposed it, and 19 per cent strongly opposed it.

Also, when asked whether they favoured more regular inspections for firearm owners, 14 per cent strongly supported it, 21 per cent somewhat supported it, 31 per cent were neutral, 15 per cent somewhat opposed it, and 19 per cent strongly opposed it.

Meanwhile, 48 per cent of people surveyed strongly opposed shorter renewal periods for firearm licences.

Mr Ellis said he appreciated the community's feedback.

“Our Government is taking a measured and consultative approach,” he said.

“We support stronger laws to stop terrorists and criminals getting access to firearms, and reforms must result from a consultative, evidence-based process.

“Tasmania will take a calm and considered approach with the highest priority being accelerating the National Firearms Register for better intelligence sharing.”

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Comments

Shane Jackson

Why can't people just understand what they just got .we are lucky only loss of firearms is to the ten percent of people with straight pull .button eject and lever eject .no one with a normal fire arm has been affected it's just the few that have to have the latest toys and some collectors of older straight pull rifles which if the truth would probably be able to keep under collectables and the ones with the new straight pull and button and lever eject can try to get a C licence instead of sitting on here whinging if they fail they get 150 percent of the market value so new price .

macca

That's just for now. What will it be next time?
Give them an inch and they will take a mile.
1%, 10% or 80%, it doesn't matter, its still the law abiding that are being punished.
Easily the citizenship requirement is a positive, should have been that way from day 1 anyway. I can understand changing cat for Button/Lever Release firearms as they can very well be shot as fast as a semi but Straight Pulls (as and owner if one) I Strongly disagree with.
As for getting a cat C license, that's only accessible to primary producers and not casual hunters or sports shooters(to my understanding).
We're already missing out on a LOT of firearms because of our strict rules, now we're missing out on more.
Who knows, in 2 years, 5 years, 10 even, The gov might try to take MORE off us "for our safety" and there will be people out there who will say "stop complaining, its only 1 or 2 types. it'll only effect 2% of shooters"...

In reply to by Shane Jackson