Proposed gun reforms 'betrayal of Tasmanians', critics say

The Tasmanian government's watered-down gun law reforms have been described as "extraordinarily weak" and a "betrayal of Tasmanians" by Labor and the Greens.

The proposed reforms, which were tabled in state parliament on Thursday, were a response to calls to tighten gun laws in the wake of last year's Bondi terror attack.

But gun control advocates say the legislation tabled today is even "weaker" than the much-criticised draft legislation released earlier this year.

The bill still does not include a limit on the number of guns one person can own, despite the state's Police Commissioner Donna Adams calling for it.

It still reclassifies straight pull and button or lever release shotguns to the more restrictive Category C and introduces an Australian citizenship requirement for owners, with carve-outs for New Zealand citizens and people who need them for work.

But it now grandfathers these clauses, meaning the rules do not apply to guns that people already own or to non-citizens who currently own legal guns.

Greens' police spokesperson Tabatha Badger said the bill was "deeply disappointing" and "simply not good enough".

"Tasmanians expected so much more when it came to firearm safety in this state,"

she said.

"We'd already seen a draft bill out for public consultation that was underwhelming, and what we've seen today tabled in this parliament is an incredible disappointment.

"It's very clear that this police minister does not understand that public safety is a core part of his job."

Ms Badger cited the Port Arthur shootings of 1996 and raised concerns about the grandfathering of clauses, the decision to include changes to antique gun laws and the addition of mandatory minimum sentences for stolen firearms.

"This Liberal government should be incredibly ashamed of what they have put forward," she said.

"Tasmania was a state that, in the past, has led the way off the back of incredible tragedy to reform firearms to help make our community safer. In the years that have followed, we simply haven't kept up with that."

Labor leader Josh Willie accused the government of being "soft on crime".

"This is a betrayal of Tasmanians and community safety by Premier Rockliff," he said.

"He has a position to support unlimited guns.

"He's backflipped on his position to improve community safety and I think, rightly, Tasmanians will be questioning whether he's got their back."

Bill defended by police minister

The bill also follows through on a 2024 election promise of no licence requirements for antique firearms.

Antique firearms manufactured before January 1, 1900 will only have to be registered with Tasmania Police.

Police Minister Felix Ellis said the legislation strikes the right balance and will result in a significant uplift in community safety.

He defended the grandfathered clauses, saying they were about "ensuring that the transition is right".

"That we can continue to support people who are farmers, hunters and recreational shooters who have been complying with the law," he said.

"We had people who have lived here for decades, who are not citizens of Australia, but have complied with our laws here in Tasmania when it comes to their firearms and [are of] good character, so rather than unduly penalising those people, it allows us to establish a framework moving forward."

Mr Ellis also said the mandatory minimum sentences for stolen firearms were particularly important.

"It'll ensure that if you steal a firearm or you're caught in possession of a stolen firearm you will go to jail," he said.

"That is absolutely vital so we can ensure that illegal firearms are not being used to intimidate our community and aren't being used to fuel organised crime."

The bill will support the implementation of the National Firearms Register in the state, which the minister said would improve intelligence sharing between law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

"We've seen that the failures of Bondi have been very much about the failure to share intelligence, particularly about people who are seeking to do harm in the community," Mr Ellis said.

"So this uplift will be critical."

Opposition to push amendments

Gun Control Australia vice president Roland Browne accused the Tasmanian government of going sideways and backwards.

"The agreement reached in December required reclassification of guns and Tasmania has done that, but then they've grandfathered the clauses that make those reclassification decisions operative.

"In other words, if people are going to have their guns reclassified … shooters in Tasmania keep their guns.

"How is that going to make Tasmania a safer place?"

But nor were gun advocates satisfied.

In a social media video, Tasmanian Shooters Union President Phillip Bigg said it didn't seem like their consultations were taken note of.

"Law-abiding firearms owners probably aren't going to be too happy,"

he said.

"I've had a quick look, doesn't look very good."

Mr Bigg also acknowledged that Labor and the Greens were likely to try to make their own amendments to the bill.

That was confirmed by both parties today, with Mr Willie telling the media the party is still intent on introducing caps on guns.

"We've said consistently we'll promote community safety while respecting the legitimate ownership of legal firearms owners," he said.

"We'll work with the parliament around amendments. We're committed to doing that."

The two parties combined will need to find another four votes to get any amendments through the lower house.

The state government said there will be a six-month voluntary buyback scheme that will begin once the bill has royal assent.

It is still in negotiations with the federal government about the cost.

Parliament is set to debate the bill in the first week of September.