Tasmanian gun reform bill draws criticism
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Arabic version: مشروع إصلاح قوانين الأسلحة في تسمانيا يواجه انتقادات
According to ABC News, Tasmania’s government has tabled gun-law reforms it says will improve community safety, but Labor, the Greens, gun-control advocates and firearms advocates have raised objections.
The bill would move straight pull and button or lever release shotguns into the more restrictive Category C licence class and introduce an Australian citizenship requirement for owners, with exemptions for New Zealand citizens and people who need firearms for work. However, the changes would not apply to firearms already owned or non-citizens who currently legally own guns.
The proposal does not set a cap on the number of firearms a person can own, despite Police Commissioner Donna Adams calling for one. It also delivers on a 2024 election commitment to remove licence requirements for antique firearms made before January 1, 1900, although they would need to be registered with Tasmania Police.
Greens police spokesperson Tabatha Badger called the bill “deeply disappointing”, while Labor leader Josh Willie said Labor would pursue amendments, including firearm caps. Gun Control Australia vice president Roland Browne criticised the grandfathering provisions, while Tasmanian Shooters Union President Phillip Bigg said lawful firearms owners were unlikely to be happy with the measures.
Police Minister Felix Ellis defended the legislation, saying it balanced safety with support for compliant farmers, hunters and recreational shooters. The bill includes mandatory minimum sentences for stealing or possessing stolen firearms and would support the National Firearms Register. Parliament is due to debate it in the first week of September; a six-month voluntary buyback scheme would begin after royal assent.
