Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1900 will now need to be licensed and registered in Tasmania.
Previously, antique firearms were exempt from licence, registration and storage requirements under the Firearms Act 1996.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams recently cancelled the exemption clause following a review that revealed its inconsistency with the intent of the Firearms Act.
Owners of antique firearms now have four options to comply with the updated legislation, which includes the choice to “apply for a firearms licence” or a “time limited individual exemption”, to “sell the firearm” through a licensed firearms dealer or to “surrender the firearm” to police for destruction.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Blackwood said owners who choose to register their antique firearms will need to surrender them to a licensed dealer until the registration process is completed.
“We understand this change will impact the owners of antique firearms. The opportunity to apply for a time limited individual exemption will give owners time to consider their options to keep, sell or dispose of the firearms,” he said.
“A firearm can be used to intimidate or threaten, regardless of whether it can be fired. That’s why replica firearms are not legal.”
Antique firearms which were subject to the exemption cannot be fired with commercial cartridge ammunition and are muzzle-loading.
Many are held by collectors or have been in families for generations.
“The new process to possess antique (pre-1900) firearms will further help to protect our community by ensuring that proper processes are in place regarding the possession and storage of antique firearms,” Blackwood said.
Key stakeholder groups, including approved firearms clubs and historical societies, will be consulted to ensure affected parties are supported through these changes.
For additional information on these changes, visit fas.police.tas.gov.au.
