Media Release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier & Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 26 February 2026
Keeping Tasmanians Safe
The Tasmanian Government will strengthen penalties to crackdown on criminals in possession of illegal firearms and implement a nation-leading buyback, as part of a suite of measures and evidence-based reforms.
Following the tragedy of the Bondi terror attack, our Liberal Government has taken a strong and considered approach to reforms.
Tasmanian reforms:
- Introduce stronger penalties for theft and possession of stolen firearms;
- Additional sharing of intelligence information and associated background checks;
- Accelerating work on standing up the National Firearms Register;
- Establishing Australian citizenship as the default eligibility requirement for firearms licensing, with provisions for limited exemptions in defined circumstances, including for primary producers and citizens from prescribed countries such as New Zealand;
- Reclassification of straight pull and button/lever release (self-ejecting) centre-fire and shotgun firearms to the more restrictive Category C licence;
- Compensate firearm dealers for these reclassified firearms currently in stock;
- Nation-leading buyback to occur on reclassified firearms, with 1.5 times the value incentive payment to encourage surrender;
- Voluntary buyback at market value for any other legal firearm a licence holder wants to hand in; and
- There will be no caps imposed on individual firearms owners.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said this reform will make Tasmania safer, while delivering on our commitment to respect law-abiding firearms owners including primary producers.
“These Tasmanian-specific reforms give police and the courts more powers to crackdown on criminals caught in possession of an illegal firearm,” Premier Rockliff said.
“We are reclassifying straight pull, button release (self-ejecting) centre fire and shotgun firearms to a Category C licence.
“As part of these changes, a nation-leading buyback will be established for straight pull and button release firearms, with incentive payments of 1.5 times the gun’s value to encourage their surrender.
“A voluntary buyback will also be open to any legal firearm a licence holder wants to surrender at market value.
“We have worked carefully to ensure these reforms do not impact the ability of law-abiding firearms owners to continue their work or recreation, while also increasing community safety.”
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the Government had listened to community feedback.
“Our focus has always been on keeping Tasmanians safe,” Minister Ellis said.
“Following the horrific events at Bondi, we immediately committed to the increased intelligence sharing and citizenship being a requirement for licence holders.
“We will also strengthen laws to crackdown on criminals in possessions of illegal firearms and the black-market trade.
“Our Government is making Tasmania safer with these strong and considered firearm reforms.
“We have made strong and considered decisions, and we will progress legislation through Parliament this year.”
Media Release – Carlo Di Falco MP, 27 February 2026
Carlo Di Falco Responds to State Liberal Firearms Policy
Carlo Di Falco MP has expressed serious concern about key elements of the State Liberals’ newly announced firearms policy, warning that responsible, law-abiding Tasmanians are again being asked to pay the price for the actions of criminals.
Mr Di Falco welcomed confirmation that there will be no caps placed on firearm numbers for licensed owners. “Common sense has prevailed on not implementing caps, we have already seen the mess that NSW are in due to rushed legislation.
Arbitrary caps do nothing to stop crime and only pushes us closer to incremental prohibition’ Mr Di Falco said. Mr Di Falco said the decision to reclassify straight pull and button release firearms to Category C is an unjustified tightening that targets compliant firearm owners rather than criminal networks. These firearms cause no more public safety risk than any other.
The real public safety risk is firearms in the hands of people that are not a fit and proper person.
“These firearms are owned by licensed individuals who have already passed background checks, storage requirements and ongoing scrutiny,” he said. “Reclassification does not take a single illegal firearm off the street. It simply creates more red tape for people who are doing the right thing.”
Mr Di Falco also criticised the introduction of new citizenship requirements for firearm licences, describing the measure as divisive. “Public safety should be based on character, criminal history and behaviour, not on citizenship status,” he said. “If someone is a permanent resident who meets every suitability requirement, why are we creating another hurdle that has nothing to do with risk?”
With the fast tracking of the national database, I hope this brings a renewed commitment to streamline licensing applications and prevent unwarranted delays.
The mandatory training course has a six month plus waitlist and growing.
While Mr Di Falco supports stronger penalties for criminals who misuse firearms, he said the Government’s focus should be squarely on illegal possession, trafficking and organised crime rather than further restrictions on licensed owners.
“If we are serious about community safety, we need tougher consequences for criminals and better resourcing for enforcement,” he said.
“Target the people breaking the law. Stop targeting the people who respect it.”
Mr Di Falco said he will be seeking detailed briefings on the proposed legislation and will continue to stand up for responsible firearm owners across Tasmania.
Media Release – Peter George, Independent MP for Franklin, 27 February 2026
Independent MP Will Push for Firearms Cap
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, will work with crossbench members and across party lines to press for a cap on the number of firearms an individual can own.
It’s more than disappointing the government will not impose a firearms cap, it’s a failure of common sense.
In caving-in to the gun lobby, the changes Jeremy Rockliff proposes are undermined by allowing individuals to own far more firearms than can be justified when tightening laws that are intended to make Tasmanians safer.
I will work with crossbench members and across party lines to impose an ownership limit of no more than six guns at a maximum while I remain open to arguments seeking to further limit ownership numbers.
This can be achieved on the floor of the Parliament if common sense prevails.
Having spoken to farmers and rural dwellers, I understand different guns are used for different jobs, but the state’s already swimming in firearms against the will of most Tasmanians and against common sense.
In the 30 years since the Port Arthur massacre, gun ownership in the state and around the nation has spiraled and it’s time we reversed that trend.
Media Release – Alannah & Madeline Foundation, 27 February 2026
Tasmania’s Proposed Firearms Changes Ignore National Calls for Tighter Gun Control
The Tasmanian government has ignored community calls for stronger gun laws and bowed to the gun lobby’s demands, offering a premium price for restricted firearms and allowing an unlimited number of firearms for each gun owner.
The Rockcliff government announced its position just hours after the first meeting of a committee purportedly established to consult on firearm laws.
Australian Gun Safety Alliance convenor and Alannah & Madeline Foundation advocacy advisor Stephen Bendle said:
“It is deeply disturbing that the Rockcliff government has chosen to ignore the National Cabinet recommendation of caps on the number of firearms anyone can own.
“Tasmania also appears to be laying out the red carpet for gun owners, choosing to pay a premium for firearms that will now be restricted. The government has flipflopped from opposing a buyback to now paying more than any other jurisdiction.
“With the average Tasmanian gun owner owning less than 5 firearms, it is hard to explain why the government has decided not to follow other jurisdictions in introducing a cap of 5 firearms. A conservative estimate would be that fewer than 10,000 people in Tasmania, or around 1% of the state’s population, would be affected by these gun reforms that the Australian community, National Cabinet and Tasmanians themselves have called for.
“Unfortunately, it appears the gun lobby that represents this tiny cohort are holding the state government and the Tasmanian population hostage.”
In the lead up to the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s founder Walter Mikac AM has described the Tasmanian government’s unique opportunity to lead the nation in gun reform out of respect for the victims and survivors of Port Arthur, as well as those from Bondi Beach.
The Foundation is calling on all Tasmanian MPs to call out the gun lobby’s power in determining government policy and demand that the government puts public safety ahead of commercial interests.
Media Release – Gun Control Australia, 27 February 2026
Tasmania’s Gun Reforms a “Bare Pass” – Major Public Safety Gaps Remain
Gun Control Australia says the Tasmanian Government firearm reforms scrape a bare pass, warning the package leaves serious public safety risks unaddressed.
Vice-President Roland Browne said while some measures were welcome, the overall framework fails to reduce the number of guns in the community or meaningfully limit risk.
“Reclassifying straight pull and button-release firearms to Category C is a positive step. A buyback alongside reclassification is also appropriate.
But beyond that, the Government has left major holes in the framework.”
No caps, more risk
“The decision to impose no cap on the number of firearms a person can own is extraordinary.
The more guns accumulated in private collections, the greater the theft risk. Stolen firearms are a key source of guns entering the black market. Allowing unlimited stockpiling increases the likelihood that more guns will end up in criminal hands.
When other states and the Prime Minister are looking at reducing the number of firearms in Australia, Tasmania is explicitly permitting arsenals.”
Mr Browne said this approach undermines the intent of the National Firearms Agreement, which was designed to minimise the number of firearms in the community and limit ownership to genuine need.
“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre, Tasmania should be leading the nation in strengthening gun laws — not creating loopholes that allow unlimited accumulation.”
Taxpayers paying 150%
Gun Control Australia also questioned the Government’s decision to fund a buyback at 1.5 times market value.
“If these firearms are being reclassified on public safety grounds, why are Tasmanian taxpayers paying a 50 per cent premium above market value?
Public safety should be the priority – not overcompensation. At a time of budget pressure, this deserves serious scrutiny.”
No consultation, no transparency
The organisation also criticised the lack of meaningful public consultation before the announcement.
“These are significant changes to gun laws, yet there has been no transparent consultation process, no exposure draft, and no genuine opportunity for public health experts, victims’ advocates, or the broader community to weigh in.
“Reform of this magnitude should not be developed behind closed doors.”
Mr Browne said the package ultimately fails to go far enough to strengthen oversight, noting there is no move to shorten licence terms, as has occurred in New South Wales.
“This is a missed opportunity to properly modernise Tasmania’s gun laws.
Firearm owners represent a small minority of the population. Gun law reform must prioritise the safety of the whole community – not protect the growth of large private gun collections.
On balance, this is a bare pass. But it still leaves Tasmania exposed to preventable risk.”
Media Release – Shooters Union Tasmania, 27 February 2026
Shooters Union Tasmania Say New Gun Laws Are About Politics, Not Facts
Shooters Union Tasmania has accused the Rockcliff Government of “having a bet each way”, selling out firearms owners for political points while failing to address actual crimes.
This morning, Premier Jeremy Rockcliff and Police Minister Felix Ellis announced a range of changes to the state’s gun laws, notably moving lever-release and straight-pull bolt-action shotguns and similarly-operated centrefire rifles to Category C, effectively banning them for most shooters.
Shooters Union Tasmania president Phillip Bigg said the changes did absolutely nothing to address criminal misuse of firearms.
“The recategorisations are absolute nonsense and have nothing to do with the action of the firearms and everything to do with uneducated dribble from desk dwellers and fear mongering organisations,” he said.
“The discussions around firearms are based around uneducated dribble from people who have no understanding of firearms or the legislation we must adhere to.
“Lever release and straight pull are not ‘rapid fire’ and the technology has been around a long time – since the 1880s, in the case of straight pull rifles.”
Mr Bigg disagreed with Police Minister Felix Ellis’s claims the changes were about keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.
“How does essentially banning large numbers of hunting shotguns and World War I service rifles do that?” Mr Bigg asked.
“How does any of this ‘keep Tasmanians safe’? It doesn’t; it’s just about headlines.
“It seems pretty obvious to me the Rockcliff Government is trying to have a bet each way here; keeping left-leaning anti-gun voters happy by banning something otherwise legal which those voters think sounds scary, while simultaneously telling rural and shooting voters ‘See? We didn’t put caps on how many guns you can own; unlike NSW. You’re welcome’.
Mr Bigg said he was disappointed the Premier and Police Minister had not taken the opportunity to stand up to the Federal Government, as Queensland had done.
“It feels like the Tasmanian Liberals have cowed to the Federal agenda – perhaps due to GST issues,” he said.
While Mr Bigg appreciated the news that above-market-value compensation would be paid for the now reclassified firearms, that didn’t change the fact people who had done nothing wrong and committed no crimes were being punished because of the actions of terrorists on the mainland.
“Right now, I see a lot of taxpayer money being spent on obtaining lawfully-owned firearms and no taxpayer dollars being spent taking guns of actual criminals,” he said.
“Queensland has taken the correct approach here, not banning anything, not implementing ownership caps, and keeping the focus entirely on criminals and terrorists.
“Mr Rockcliff could have shown similarly strong leadership and adopted their approach, but instead we’ve got a political compromise rather than a fact-based one.”
Media Release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Police, Fire and Emergency Management spokesperson
Firearms Reforms Don’t Go Far Enough
After months of delay, finally the Rockliff Government has announced its position on nationally proposed firearms reforms. Predictably though, the proposed changes fall short of what’s needed to maximise community safety and be authentically national leading.
The Government’s proposal does contain some improvements, and the Greens are glad to see overdue tighter restrictions for straight pull and button-release firearms and the fast tracking of the National Firearms Register.
But it’s deeply disappointing the government has refused to cap individual ownership of firearms and fully participate in the national buyback scheme.
Police Minister Felix Ellis has repeatedly made clear he doesn’t want a cap on firearm ownership, so it’s no surprise this crucial measure has not been supported by the Rockliff Government.
However that doesn’t mean it can’t still happen. The Greens will be considering amendments to the government’s proposals and we will engage with the Parliament as a whole to see what further changes may be achievable.
Capping the number of firearms individuals can own is a step already taken by NSW and WA, and Tasmania should follow their lead. It’s so important for community safety that we significantly reduce the number of firearms an individual can own.
Of course a cap must take into account the needs of people like farmers – as has been done in mainland states who have made this change. But we can’t ignore the fact that having a higher number of firearms in the community means more of them ending up in the wrong hands, which makes us all less safe. This is a fact that has been raised for sometime, as firearms incidents have risen dramatically across Tasmania in the last 18 months.
The Greens look forward to speaking to our colleagues across the Parliament about this issue. Given the Opposition’s previous positive statements on this issue, we are hopeful of constructive conversations with a view to strengthening these reforms.
