By SIFA Pushes Back on Tasmania’s Proposed Antique Firearms Laws
The ongoing issue of Antique Firearm Law Reform in Tasmania is slowly coming to a head with the Consultation on proposed amendments to the Firearms Act 1996 relating to antique firearms ending on November 27.
This is an issue that SIFA has engaged extensively with Tasmanian Police and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis MP since it was announced that the Tasmanian police commissioner cancelled the long-standing exemption no.4, that allowed for people to collect antique firearms in Tasmania.
Due to SIFA and other stakeholders engaging with the TAS Government on this issue, the Tasmanian Government agreed that the initial changes were hasty and unbalanced and committed to legislating a new framework for antique firearm collectors.
As part of the development of new legislation, the Tasmanian Government held a public consultation from October 30, 2024 to November 27, 2024 on their proposed changes:
The Tasmanian Government has committed to the following changes:
- There will be no licensing requirements, and no requirement to do a firearms safety course;
- Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1 January 1900 will only need to be registered with Tasmania Police;
- Owners will simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it is stored;
- There will be no requirement for engraving or stamping of the antique weapon;
- The process will be 100 per cent free; and
- If it is to be displayed, there will be display requirements including that the firearm must safely be secured in a rack or in a locked display cabinet that is fitted with glass or other material of sufficient strength to prevent theft.
While SIFA was pleased to see that the Tasmanian Government sought consultation by firearm owners and industry, in its submission, it outlined several concerns about the proposed requirements:
- SIFA is deeply concerned that the Minister, Commissioner and Tasmania Police have failed to provide this consultation with any evidence to suggest that antique firearms collections have had a negative impact on public safety.
- There is no specific evidence presented to suggest that the registration of antique firearms or fit and proper person checks will offer any tangible public safety benefit.
- SIFA considers the tagging process and registration requirements to be overbearing and unnecessary for items that are essentially inert and pose minimal risk.
SIFA’s consultation made the following recommendations:
Recommendation 1
Tasmania Police to provide supporting evidence, that a change in policy to require registration of antique firearms will have demonstrable and tangible public safety benefits.
Recommendation 2
If no supporting evidence can be provided for Recommendation 1, Tasmania Police remove the proposal to register antique firearms.
Recommendation 3
There should be no requirement for antique firearms owners to undergo ‘fit and proper person’ checks.
Recommendation 4
There should be no requirement for an antique firearm to be tagged or registered.
Recommendation 5
There should be no added regulation on antique firearms where commercially available ammunition is no longer available.
SIFA CEO, James Walsh highlighted the industry’s willingness to work with government but questions the usefulness of the proposed laws:
“As the peak body for the shooting industry, SIFA is more than willing to work with all jurisdictions of government to improve firearms laws when there is substantial evidence that changes will have a demonstrable positive effect on public safety and not unduly burden industry or law-abiding firearms owners.
“These proposals from the Tasmanian Government are bereft of evidence and will have zero positive impact on public safety.
“Without evidence showing antique firearms pose a public safety risk, these changes appear to be reactive rather than meaningful reform. They will only add unnecessary red tape and burden both shooters and Tasmanian Police.” said Mr Walsh.
Now that the consultation period has concluded, SIFA will continue to engage with Minister Ellis to ensure the final legislation is informed by evidence, avoids unnecessary burdens, and delivers tangible benefits to public safety.
