The Hodgman Liberal Government is moving to strengthen the State's Firearms Act, particularly to deter firearm thefts and the proliferation of stolen firearms in criminal activity.
Our amendments, tabled in Parliament today, are the result of a joint approach where we listened to and worked with law-abiding firearm owners to respond to the threat of stolen firearms in our community.
A two-pronged attack on firearm thefts will see the introduction of a tougher storage regime and tougher penalties for the possession of stolen firearms.
Where the previous Labor-Green government failed to act for five years after commencing a review of the Firearms Act in 2009, this Government has consulted with firearm owners and those who have expressed concerns about firearms policy.
We make no apology for taking a strong stand to deter gun thefts, including the introduction of a three-month minimum mandatory sentence for those who possess stolen firearms.
The challenge for the Opposition Leader, who says Labor wants to "stand on their own two feet", is will he support our efforts to reduce firearm thefts and keep our community safe?
Or will Bryan Green once again join with the Greens and vote against these responsible, sensible amendments to the Firearms Act?
The Government recognises that while most firearm owners go to great lengths to secure their firearms and protect them from theft, the minimum standards need to be increased to afford a further level of protection to the community.
Our amendments will particularly strengthen storage regulations for handguns, with an additional measure of electronic security required. This will also apply to those who own 10 or more firearms at the one address.
We are also committed to encouraging safe firearm practices and that's why we are proposing a minor adjustment to the minimum age at which a younger person can be trained in the field under supervision.
The minimum age would be reduced from 16 to 15 years to provide more opportunities for supervision, while introducing a new measure requiring that a supervising adult must have held a firearms licence for a continuous period of at least five years.
In a move that will please many Tasmanians, this Bill provides for the introduction of the sporting activity of paintball.
Paintball will be permitted at approved venues by licensed operators, with a range of provisions in the legislation to regulate the activity, as occurs in other states.
The Government's proposed amendments will provide a comprehensive and long overdue update of the Firearms Act.
We are committed to reducing firearm thefts and we believe our reforms will help make our community safer.
Will Bryan Green support these amendments to protect law-abiding firearm owners, their families and the broader community or will he once again side with the Greens and capitulate to the urban Left in his own party?
More Media Releases from the Minister for Police and Emergency Management