Helen Burnet to move motion for gun law bill to be sent to a committee

Independent MP Helen Burnet says she will move a motion to refer the Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill 2026 to a committee for further consideration.

The legislation to change firearm laws is set to be debated in Tasmanian Parliament this week.

The changes include reclassifying straight-pull and button/lever release (self-ejecting) centre-fire and shotgun firearms to the more restrictive Category C licence; introducing Australian citizenship as a requirement for firearm ownership, with appropriate carve-outs; and clarifying the process for possessing, displaying, and storing antique firearms, while introducing licensing and permit-to-acquire requirements.

The major change from the draft legislation is the addition of grandfathering provisions for existing licensed firearm owners who would otherwise be affected by citizenship and reclassification requirements.

During the 2024 state election, the Liberals said antique firearm owners would not need a licence to keep it.

However, the Bill tabled in Parliament states that antique firearm owners require a permit.

The permit process includes eligibility screening and the Commissioner's discretion to refuse, cancel and review rights.

Ms Burnet said she and other MPs needed more time and information to consider the legislation.

“It’s incredibly important to get this legislation right and to give it the time to be properly considered against all stakeholder concerns before we vote on it as representatives,” she said.

“The Firearms Act Bill is a very important Bill and is also a very complex Bill, and is 83 pages long.  We have only had the Bill for three weeks, and now in the last few days, we have received 6 amendments from Labor, 10 amendments from the Greens, and 10 amendments from Ms Johnson, and I understand Mr Di Falco is wanting to move amendments.”

Ms Burnet said they were not minor amendments and some would have ramifications that needed proper consultation.

“This legislation also has ties to national reforms, as well as reforms being pursued by other states, which means that we really need to slow down and make sure that we get this right.

“This is the first major reform to the Firearms Act since its inception nearly 30 years ago, which is welcomed, but there is a level of complexity to these changes that even the Minister and the Police have raised concerns about.”

The bill has attracted more than 400 pages of submissions.

“It has so many amendments and has now become so politicised that I fear the possible confusion this will cause on the floor of Parliament and in the community is not in the best interests of Tasmanians – the people we are making these laws for, to keep safe.

“Just the reforms being proposed by Labor, for example, will have significant administrative and financial ramifications for the Tasmanian Police and the Government.”

Ms Burnet said the community was concerned about the legislation.

“What I understand is that many of the submissions assert a lack of evidence behind some of the reforms, and none of these stakeholders has been consulted on the amendments that are being proposed.

“That’s not good governance.

 “Functioning and clear legislation – especially when it is around something as serious as firearms laws – demands a calm and measured approach.”

Ms Burnett said she wanted a committee established to address the concerns and properly consider the bill.

“This is exactly why committees exist: to consider a Bill in detail, take evidence from different stakeholders and make considered recommendations.

“This is about building public trust in the legislation and getting it right.”