20 May 2026
Mark Shelton, Liberal Member for Lyons
Tasmanians have rejected Labor’s extraordinary backflip targeting farmers, hunters and sporting shooters.
Two petitions signed by over 11,000 Tasmanians against Labor's moves to impose caps on law abiding firearm owners - some of the largest in Tasmanian history, were tabled in the House of Assembly today.
Petition Sponsor and Liberal Member for Lyons, Mark Shelton, welcomed the significant response.
“Our Government has taken a strong and considered approach to firearms reforms that target terrorists and criminals,” Mr Shelton said.
“We are progressing significant reforms to get guns out of the hands of criminals, keep Tasmanians safe, make Australian citizenship a requirement of firearm ownership, and accelerate the national firearms register.
“Speaking to Tasmanians at AGFEST and across my electorate of Lyons, the response has been loud and clear.
“Labor have sold out farmers, they've sold out regional Tasmania, and they've sold out recreational shooters.”
The petitions request the House to:
- Reject the introduction of a cap on the number of firearms an individual can legally possess; and
- Prioritise policies that target illegal firearms and criminal activity, rather than law-abiding licenced firearm owners/users.
“Our Government is focussed on keeping Tasmanians safe, while Labor is attacking law-abiding farmers and recreational shooters,” Mr Shelton said.