News Desk

SIFA Raises Concerns Over Draft Tasmanian Firearms Licence Application Form

2 December 2024717 views1

The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has raised concerns about the proposed Tasmanian Firearms Licence Application Form, describing it as overly broad, intrusive, and unlikely to achieve its safety objectives. 

While SIFA acknowledges the importance of assessing firearm licence applicants to ensure public safety, it questions whether the proposed form achieves its intended outcomes.  

SIFA’s review found that many of the questions lack evidence-based justification and are unlikely to reliably identify applicants who pose an elevated risk. 

“Effective risk assessment tools must be precise and grounded in evidence. 

“The broad nature of these questions risks creating a high rate of false positives, which could result in unnecessary strain on police resources and unfair scrutiny of individuals who pose no actual risk. This, in turn, will lead to fewer resources being available for applicants who most require scrutiny – such as those with past substance use problems, a history of violent behaviour and/or serious mental illness.” SIFA CEO, Mr James Walsh said.  

SIFA is concerned that the form’s overly broad and intrusive questions could create barriers for individuals seeking essential health care even if they pose little to no risk to themselves or others. 

“The proposed questions in their current form fail to distinguish between conditions that genuinely impact community safety and those that have absolutely no relevance such as migraines, hearing impairment or whether they have ever in their life seen a mental healthcare professional. 

“Frankly, the Tasmania Police assessment is not fit for purpose, personally intrusive, heavy-handed and discriminatory. The generalised nature of the questions will also discourage people from seeking help when needed, out of fear they will fall foul of the qualifying questions.” said Mr Walsh. 

SIFA is calling on Tasmania Police to review the questionnaire and remove any generalised questions and replace these with evidence-based questions, around defined medical / health conditions that are an actual risk for an individual to have access to firearms.  

“We need a balance that ensures public safety while respecting the privacy and dignity of law abiding firearm owners. The current proposal is heavy-handed, discriminatory and ultimately counterproductive.” said Mr Walsh. 

SIFA has offered to work with Tasmanian Police and the police minister to develop a more practical, effective solution that ensures public safety without unfairly penalising safe and responsible firearm owners.