The Liberals say they will backtrack on changes to antique firearm laws that some said made owning vintage guns ‘extremely complex’ if they are re-elected.
On day nine of the election campaign, Felix Ellis acknowledged the need for “balance” in the laws and admitted they got it wrong.
“We recognise that antique firearms rendered incapable of being fired are often valuable heirlooms, passed down generations or collected for their historical value,” he said.
“A re-elected majority Liberal Government will make changes to antique firearms laws to ensure that antique gun owners are able to safely store their weapons while respecting the value that these antique pieces offer.”
The revised law will simplify the process of retaining antique firearms manufactured before January 1, 1900, eliminating licensing requirements and the need for a firearms safety course.
Owners will only need to provide basic information when registering their firearm with Tasmania Police, including details of where and how it is stored, in a process that will be free of charge.
There will be no requirement for engraving or stamping the weapon, while guns for display will need to be securely stored in a rack or locked display cabinet fitted with glass or other materials strong enough to prevent theft.
The changes will apply to antique firearms that are not designed to fire cartridge ammunition and for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available.
Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff has put the party on blast for the “disturbing and repugnant” announcement she said was “pure politics ahead of community safety”.
“The Police Commissioner was clear, antique firearms ammunition hasn’t been available, but technological advancement means it now is … Police are just requiring antique firearms owners to get a licence and go through a fit and proper persons test, like every other gun owner,” she said.
“Why should people with violent or criminal backgrounds be allowed to own firearms that are capable of being fired without any licence or background check?”
Woodruff said the Liberals have again buckled to the gun lobby at election time and called on Jeremy Rockliff to step in and reverse the reversal.
“We should listen to the police when they say we need tighter gun ownership laws. For the Liberals to undermine this in an election period is irresponsible and will put lives at risk,” she said.
Labor’s Shane Broad confirmed they would match the Liberals’ commitment, saying the changes should “never have been made in the first place”.
“It is completely disingenuous for Minister Felix Ellis to once again wait until an election to listen to antique gun owners and finally act on their concerns,” Broad said.
