The Tasmanian Government is committed to providing opportunities for community involvement in the development and ongoing review of Government policy. The Government has proposed amendments to the Firearms Act 1996 regarding antique firearms. We are seeking your input on further amendments for potential inclusion in a draft Bill.

What is the Firearms Act 1996?

The Act was introduced in 1996 and provides for the regulation, registration and control of firearms in Tasmania.

What is the purpose of the proposed amendments?

It is recognised that antique firearms are often valuable heirlooms, passed down generations, or collected for their historical value. Accordingly, the Government has committed to changing antique firearms laws. The proposed amendments will strike the right balance between the legitimate interests of antique firearms owners and addressing community safety risks.

The Government has committed to the following changes:

• There will be no licensing requirements, and no requirement to do a firearms safety course;
• Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1 January 1900 will only need to be registered with Tasmania Police;
• Owners will simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it is stored;
• There will be no requirement for engraving or stamping of the antique weapon;
• The process will be 100 per cent free; and
• If it is to be displayed, there will be display requirements including that the firearm must safely be secured in a rack or in a locked display cabinet that is fitted with glass or other material of sufficient strength to prevent theft.

These rules will apply to an antique firearm that was manufactured prior to 1 January 1900, is not designed to discharge cartridge ammunition, and for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available.

We are seeking your feedback in relation to the matters outlined in the attached consultation paper: Consultation Paper – Antique Firearms

Feedback on the proposed amendments is invited from all members of the community. Consultation runs from 30 October to 27 November 2024.

How to make a submission

We must receive all written submissions by 5pm on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

You can make a submission by:

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

*You can upload files of only docx, doc or pdf and not larger than 10 MB

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

Important: By making a submission, you agree to its publication on this website.

Publishing submissions

Other than indicated below, submissions will be treated as public information and will be published on the https://www.police.tas.gov.au/.

Submissions will be published once the Government consideration of the submissions has concluded.

No personal information other than an individual’s name or the organisation making a submission will be published.