New firearms provisions in play as of 1 July

Community safety remains a top priority for the Tasmanian Liberal Government as several provisions of the Firearms Amendment (Community Safety) Act 2023 commence on 1 July. 
 
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis said these provisions are a win for common sense, keeping Tasmanians safe from firearm crime while supporting responsible firearms owners. 
 
“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to crack down on crime and keep our communities safe,” Minister Ellis said. 
 
“Members of outlaw motorcycle gangs will now be included as a class of persons who should not be issued a firearms licence. 
 
“These new provisions will enable Tasmania Police to anticipate and be prepared for emerging criminal and technological trends, making it a criminal offence to possess digital blueprints of a firearm, firearm part or sound suppressor on a 3D printer or electronic milling machine,” he said. 

 
“The amendments also expand the scope of Tasmania’s firearms amnesty to include firearm parts, ammunition, and sound suppressors. 

 
Further work is underway to commence the remaining components of the Act by the end of 2024.  
 
These further changes include reclassifying lever action shotguns in line with the National Firearms Agreement and making it an offence to carry a toy firearm with criminal intent. 
 
Tasmania Police’s Firearms Services division will be contacting all firearms owners impacted by the reclassification of lever action shotguns in the coming months to discuss the changes, ahead of them coming into effect. 
 

For more information, visit https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/