The Tasmanian opposition has criticized a gun control bill
The government of the Australian state of Tasmania has introduced a bill in parliament to reform gun control laws. The opposition Labor Party and the Greens consider the bill too weak, according to ABC News Australia. The bill was drafted in response to calls to tighten gun control laws following last year’s terrorist attack in Bondi.
The bill does not set a limit on the number of firearms a single person can own, although State Police Commissioner Donna Adams had previously advocated for such a restriction. At the same time, it provides for the reclassification of straight-pull rifles, as well as models with a push-button or lever mechanism, into the stricter Category C.
The bill also introduces an Australian citizenship requirement for firearm owners, with exceptions for New Zealand citizens and people who need firearms for work. However, these requirements will not apply to firearms that people already legally own, nor to non-Australian citizens who already possess legal firearms.
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Tabata Badger, the Greens’ spokesperson on police affairs, called the proposal deeply disappointing and insufficient. She expressed concern about the exemptions for current owners, changes to the rules regarding antique firearms, and mandatory minimum prison terms for firearm theft. Labor Party leader Josh Willey stated that the party will push for limits on the number of firearms.
Tasmanian Police Minister Felix Ellis defended the bill, stating that it strikes the right balance and will improve public safety. According to him, the transitional provisions are intended to ensure that farmers, hunters, recreational shooters, and others who have complied with the rules for years are not penalized. He also emphasized the importance of mandatory imprisonment for the theft of firearms or the possession of stolen firearms.
Antique firearms manufactured before January 1, 1900, will only need to be registered with the Tasmanian police; no license will be required. The government also plans a six-month voluntary firearms buyback program, which is set to begin after the bill receives royal assent. State authorities are negotiating with the federal government regarding the program’s cost, and the parliament plans to debate the bill during the first week of September.
