Consultation opens on proposed changes to firearm laws

Public consultation has opened on the proposed amendments to Tasmania’s firearms act.

Proposed changes include harsher penalties for firearm offences ahead of the introduction of the National Firearms Register (NFR).

Other measures - including the reclassification of straight-pull and button/lever-release (self-ejecting) centre-fire and shotgun firearms to the more restrictive Category C licence, and the introduction of Australian citizenship as a requirement for firearm ownership, with appropriate carve-outs - are subject to a jointly funded buyback with the Federal Government.

The Tasmanian government has committed to the national gun buyback in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

The newly proposed laws do not cap the number of firearms a single person can own.

Police Minister Felix Ellis said legislation to implement the National Firearms Register in Tasmania would strengthen law enforcement's ability to share firearms information in near real time across Tasmania and interstate.

“The Bondi terrorist attack showed the devastating consequences of a failure to share intelligence across jurisdictions and agencies,” Mr Ellis said.

“These reforms are about making sure the right information is available to law enforcement when they are making decisions about who should have access to firearms.

“Our reforms put criminals on notice, with mandatory prison terms for firearms theft and possession of a stolen firearm.

"If you steal a firearm, or you're caught with a stolen firearm, you should expect to spend time behind bars.

Mr Ellis said that stolen firearms fuel the black market, empower organised crime and put the public at risk.

"That's why a key feature of these reforms is the introduction of a three-month, minimum mandatory sentence for firearm theft and possession of a stolen firearm.

"This is a reform that should have happened years ago.

“While Labor and the Greens blocked mandatory sentencing more than a decade ago, we're now righting that wrong.”

Consultation on the new firearm laws is open until 5pm on August 7.

“Tasmania was clear from the outset that we would consult with our communities on evidence-based firearms laws rather than rush through a knee-jerk reaction,” Mr Ellis said.

“This is an important opportunity for everyday Tasmanians to now have their say.

“We welcome submissions, and we will continue to genuinely listen as we craft these laws.”

Mr Ellis said the Tasmanian government would continue to negotiate a fair and affordable gun buyback model with the Commonwealth.

"We have committed to compensation of 1.5 times market value for the firearms being reclassified, and any other voluntary buyback at market value.

"The Federal Government announced the buyback six months ago; however, there have been no significant updates since then.

“Our focus is on keeping firearms out of the hands of terrorists and criminals, not penalising law-abiding licence holders.”

Labor police spokeswoman Jen Butler was concerned the amendments have no cap on firearm ownership.

Her party has committed to a cap of 10 firearms for primary producers.

“We remain concerned that at a time when it seems like there’s a shooting or a gun theft in the news every other week, Premier Rockliff and the Liberals want unlimited guns in the community,” Ms Butler said.

“Labor does not support that, and Tasmanians don’t support that either.

“We look forward to scrutinising the Bill and working with the Parliament to deliver practical reforms that improve community safety while respecting the legitimate needs of primary producers, sports shooters, and recreational hunters.”

The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoors (SHOT) Tasmania organisation said it met with Tasmanian Labor Leader Josh Willie and other parliamentary party members, who reaffirmed their desire for caps.

“Labor has not made the case for firearm caps in Tasmania,” a SHOT Tasmania spokesperson said.

“Josh Willie and the Labor Opposition have confirmed they want to pursue caps, but they have not produced evidence showing why a farmer, hunter, collector or sporting shooter becomes a public safety risk simply because they own more than an arbitrary number of firearms.

“That is not evidence-based policy.

“It is a political position imported from Canberra.”

SHOT Tasmania is also against the gun buyback scheme.

“Before Labor commits Tasmania to a Commonwealth-driven buyback or cap scheme, it must release the evidence, the modelling and the costings,” the spokesperson said.

“If Labor wants to spend public money buying back lawfully owned property from licensed people, it must first prove the policy is necessary, explain what problem it solves, and show how it improves public safety.

“So far, it has done none of that.”