Have Your Say on Stronger Firearms Laws

Media Release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 3 July 2026

Have Your Say on Stronger Firearms Laws

Tough new laws to take firearms out of the hands of criminals are now out for consultation.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said legislation to deliver the National Firearms Register in Tasmania would strengthen the ability of law enforcement to share firearms information in near-real time across Tasmania and interstate.

“The Bondi terrorist attack showed the devastating consequences of a failure to share intelligence across jurisdictions and agencies,” Minister Ellis said.

“These reforms are about making sure the right information is available to law enforcement when they are making decisions about who should have access to firearms.

“Our reforms put criminals on notice, with mandatory prison terms for firearms theft and possession of a stolen firearm.

“If you steal a firearm, or you’re caught with a stolen firearm, you should expect to spend time behind bars.

“Stolen firearms fuel the black market, empower organised crime and put our community at risk.

“That’s why a key feature of these reforms is the introduction of a three-month, minimum mandatory sentence for firearm theft and possession of a stolen firearm.

“This is a reform that should have happened years ago. While Labor and the Greens blocked mandatory sentencing more than a decade ago, we’re now righting that wrong.”

Further measures including the reclassification of straight pull and button/lever release (self-ejecting) centre-fire and shotgun firearms to the more restrictive Category C licence, and the introduction of Australian citizenship as a requirement of firearm ownership with appropriate carveouts, are subject to a jointly funded buyback with the Federal Government.

“Tasmania was clear from the outset that we would consult with our communities on evidence-based firearms laws rather than rush through a knee jerk reaction.

“This is an important opportunity for everyday Tasmanians to now have their say. We welcome submissions and we will continue to genuinely listen as we craft these laws.”

Minister Ellis said states continue to negotiate a fair and affordable model with Canberra.

“We have committed to compensation of 1.5 times market value for the firearms being reclassified, and any other voluntary buyback at market value.

“The Federal Government announced the buyback six months ago, however there has been no significant updates since then.

“Our focus is on keeping firearms out of the hands of terrorists and criminals, not penalising law-abiding licence holders.”

Information on how to make a submission is available here.

Consultation will remain open until 5:00pm on Friday, 7 August 2026.

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