A stronger deterrent to the persistent problem of firearms-related burglaries in our community will be the focus of the changes the Liberal Government will introduce when it updates the Firearms Act.
Where the previous Labor-Green government failed to achieve anything from its five-year review of the Act, the Liberal Government expects to table amendments in early March.
Changes to deter firearms-related burglaries will include:
We are not alone in our determination to strongly deal with the issue of stolen firearms with the Australian Government passing new laws this week that will see gun traffickers facing minimum mandatory sentences of five years' jail.
Meanwhile, the minimum age to be allowed to discharge a firearm in the field – under the strict supervision of an experienced firearms licence holder – will be adjusted from 16 to 15 years to increase opportunities to learn safe firearms handling practices. Tasmania's adjusted age will remain the highest age for supervised juniors in Australia
The commercial "Paintball" activity will also be legalised, which will bring Tasmania into line with all other states.
Further amendments will be outlined when the legislation is tabled.
The Liberal Government is picking up the pieces after the previous Labor and Labor-Green governments got nowhere with a review that started prior to the 2010 election.
We will deliver a sensible and responsible balance to firearms management.
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