Proposed changes to Tasmania's firearms legislation will see a crackdown on illegally manufactured firearms, criminal activity, and imitation guns, as part of legislative reform by the Rockliff Liberal Government.
The proposed amendments will:
* Automatically cancel and refuse firearms licences for members of outlaw motorcycle gangs;
* Automatically cancel firearms licences for people in possession of shortened firearms such as sawn-off shotguns;
* Prohibit the unlawful manufacture of firearms parts or ammunition through emerging technologies such as 3D printers;
* Make 'toy' firearms such as gel blasters firearms under the Act so it is an offence to use these to threaten, intimidate or conduct criminal activity; and
* Adopt changes made to the National Firearms Agreement to reclassify lever-action shotguns.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said gun violence and criminal activity are the focus of these reforms and the Government is committed to taking action to keep Tasmanians safe.
"We will be cracking down on people who threaten Tasmanians' safety through their illegal or unsafe behaviour with firearms," he said.
"Through these amendments we are making it clear to the Tasmanian community that people who use firearms to threaten community safety will be penalised and prosecuted under our laws.
"Under these amendments, we will make it illegal to possess digital blueprints for the manufacture of ghost guns, firearm parts and sound suppressors using modern technology such as 3D printers or electronic milling - unless otherwise exempt.
"We are also making sure that people who use imitation firearms to commit crime will be prosecuted. Gel blasters are not toys. They are intentionally manufactured to look, weigh and feel like firearms and have an operating system similar to an air rifle. People have used these to threaten and intimidate the public and that is unacceptable.
"Finally, we make no apologies for being tough on gun crime and we will be automatically cancelling firearms licences for people who are not deserving of this privilege in our society. If you participate in a dangerous and outlawed gang, or if you possess modified firearms that are highly dangerous, you will automatically lose your licence and be prosecuted accordingly.
"We are committed to ensuring that our police have the authority to stamp out any criminal activity and penalise those who threaten our safety."
Consultation on the Firearms Amendment (Community Safety) Bill 2023 opens today until 17 March 2023.
