FIREARMS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Thursday 9 April 2026
COMMUNIQUÉ
A Firearms Consultative Committee meeting was held virtually and in-person in Launceston on Thursday 9 April 2026. The meeting was chaired by the Hon Felix Ellis MP, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management.
UPDATE ON ANTIQUE FIREARMS LEGISLATION
Committee Members noted the update on the Firearms Amendment (Antique Firearms) Bill 2025 provided by Tasmania Police, including that a range of submissions were received, and the Bill is progressing through the standard legislative reform process.
UPDATE ON PROGRESS TOWARDS STANDING UP NATIONAL FIREARMS REGISTER IN TASMANIA
Committee Members noted:
(a) the update on the acceleration of work to deliver the National Firearms Register in Tasmania by 2027-28,
(b) a Request for Tender process and evaluation is underway, and
(c) Tasmania continues to meet its milestones.
UPDATE ON THE RECLASSIFICATION/BUYBACK
Committee Members:
(a)noted the update on Tasmania’s proposed firearms reclassification and buyback scheme provided by the Chair,
(b)discussed aspects of the proposal and their impacts on firearms owners, and
(c)agreed in principle for a buyback to be extended to unregistered firearms.
PERMANENT OPEN FIREARMS AMNESTY
Committee Members:
(a)discussed a Committee Member-sponsored proposal for a standing open firearms amnesty in Tasmania, allowing licensed firearms owners to:
i.present an unregistered firearm to a licensed firearms dealer, and
ii.have the firearm assessed, registered, and placed onto their existing licence, subject to appropriate eligibility and safety requirements,
(b)supported the proposal in principle, and
(c)agreed the Chair will request legal and regulatory advice on the feasibility of the proposal under the Firearms Act 1996.
LIKE-FOR-LIKE FIREARM EXCHANGE SYSTEM
Committee Members:
(a)discussed a Committee Member-sponsored proposal for a like‑for‑like firearms exchange option, which would allow a licensed firearms owner to replace an existing firearm with another firearm of the same category without increasing their total firearm holdings and within existing public safety and licensing controls, and
(b)noted the proposal for further policy development and its relationship to the National Firearms Register.
CATEGORY C FIREARMS FOR COMPETITIVE SHOOTING
Committee Members:
(a)noted a Committee Member-sponsored proposal that would permit restricted use of Category C firearms for Reason 1 (sporting/competition purposes only), and
(b)acknowledged the differing viewpoints of Committee Members on the proposal, including that Medics for Gun Control strongly opposed the proposal.
Hon Felix Ellis MP
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
9 April 2026