Article

Tasmanian Firearms Debate

Have your say!

Posted on

3 July 2026

TASMANIAN TIMES – FIREARMS DEBATE

While there is an official process to make submission on this new legislation (see below), it is a closed process until after submissions close.

Tasmania Times will be running a live open debate on the proposed new firearms laws VIA THIS PAGE.

Our process is designed to ensure the conversation remains respectful and on topic.

We will ensure all voices, both pro-gun and anti-gun, are heard on this topic.

Our debate will close at 5pm 7th August 2026

On the 8th of August a summary of this debate and survey results will be posted in the Tasmanian Times newsletter.

On the 10th of August Tasmanian Times will provide the Minister for Police, Felix Ellis MP, a summary of all submissions and survey results received.

Tasmanian Times will not provide any personal details to the Minister or Police department.

Unless otherwise stated in the submission form, all submissions are collected in line with our Privacy Policy.

This debate is NOT part of the official submission process (see below).

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The Official Submission Process

The consultation period will be open on the 3 July 2026 and close on the 7 August 2026

Consultation on the Firearms Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2026 – Main webpage

Firearms-Amendment-Miscellaneous-Bill-2026-Consultation-Version-1 – Draft Bill

Firearms-Amendment-Miscellaneous-Bill-2026-Consultation-Version – Consultation InformationSheet

Firearms-Amendment-Miscellaneous-Bill-2026-Consultation-Version – Questions and Answers

How to make a formal submission:

You must submit all written submissions by 5:00pm on Friday, 7 August 2026.

You can make a submission by:

EMAIL: to submissions.strategy.support@DPFEM.tas.gov.au

POST: to “Submissions at Strategy and Support, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management”
GPO Box 308
Hobart
TAS 7001

In accordance with the Tasmanian government’s public submissions policy, all submissions will be published on the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management website at https://www.police.tas.gov.au/consultations/

Parties making a submission may request that the submission is treated as confidential. Reasons are to accompany such a request. A copy of the public submissions policy is available at https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

Felix Ellis MP, 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.”

Jen Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency Services, 3 July 2026

Liberals want unlimited guns in the community

Tasmanian Labor welcomes the overdue release of the Government’s firearms Bill for consultation.

We remain concerned that at a time when it seems like there’s a shooting or a gun theft in the news every other week, Premier Rockliff and the Liberals want unlimited guns in the community.

Labor does not support that, and Tasmanians don’t support that either.

We look forward to scrutinising the Bill and working with the Parliament to deliver practical reforms that improve community safety while respecting the legitimate needs of primary producers, sports shooters, and recreational hunters.

Statement from Lee Hanson, One Nation – via Facebook

One Nation completely rejects the continued attack on Tasmania’s law-abiding firearms owners.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has released proposed amendments to the Firearms Act for public consultation. While there are some positive measures, including tougher penalties for firearms-related crime, these proposals are again accompanied by unnecessary restrictions on responsible firearms owners.

Even more concerning is that Tasmanian Labor, supported by the Greens and some independents, are preparing amendments to introduce caps on firearms ownership and even further restrictions on licensed firearm owners.

This is purely political grandstanding, driving personal agendas, with very little to no understanding of what law-abiding firearms owners are already subjected to under legislation and regulations.

The real problem has never been licensed firearms owners. The real problem is the criminal use, possession, theft, and illegal manufacture of firearms. Why do they keep wanting to punish law abiding firearms owners.

In 2023, Tasmanian Shooters Union President – Phillip Bigg briefed the Tasmanian legislative council during the proposed firearms amendment bill. He urged them to focus on mandatory sentences for firearms crimes. This was ignored at that time. Why? The question is: what has suddenly changed? It is great they are focussed on this now, but equally so, not doing enough to support on lawful owners, and imposing further restrictions.

One Nation welcomes stronger penalties for criminals. That is where the focus should always have been.

What we do not support are arbitrary caps on firearm ownership, unnecessary restrictions on licensed firearms owners, or Anthony Albanese’s failed national firearms buy-back agenda, which has already been rejected by the majority of Australian states and territories. Yet Canberra’s approach is now influencing Tasmanian Labor, Greens, and many on the cross-bench’s push for ownership caps.

Law-abiding firearms owners should not be used as political scapegoats because governments have failed to deal with criminals.

One Nation opposes any changes to the Firearms Act that unnecessarily restrict responsible firearms owners. We believe political agendas must be put aside so genuine consultation can occur and reforms can focus on those who actually commit firearms crimes.

Have your say now before it is too late.

The Tasmania Police consultation on the proposed Firearms Act amendments is open from 3 July until 7 August 2026.

We also encourage everyone to write to their state member of parliament and make it clear your position.

One Nation will continue standing with Tasmania’s law-abiding firearms owners while supporting tougher penalties for criminals.

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Related Topics:consultation, debate, firearms, firearms debate, gun debate, legislation, spotlight, submissions