Premier says he is open to changing firearms policy

PREMIER Will Hodgman says his Government is open to changing its controversial gun policies if they are found to breach the National Firearms Agreement.

PREMIER Will Hodgman says his government is open to changing its controversial gun policies if they are found to breach the National Firearms Agreement.

The Liberal Party came under attack in State Parliament this morning over the plans, which were revealed shortly before the March State Election.

The State Government planned changes to gun laws would give farmers greater access to Category C firearms such as semiautomatic rifles, self-loading rifles and pump-action shotguns, and double some licences from five to 10 years.

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The NFA placed tight restrictions on the ownership of fully and semiautomatic weapons and imposed tighter rules around justifications for owning and using firearms and how they are stored. It also specifies a maximum licence period of five years.

There were claims during Question Time that police had advised the government that the laws may breach the NFA.

Premier Will Hodgman in Question Time. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We will introduce no laws to this place that will compromise the NFA, my advice is that these did not,” Mr Hodgman said.

“The Parliamentary Inquiry which we are quite prepared to participate in and support, will allow all matters to be considered.

“I will again officially declare that we will do nothing to compromise the NFA, we will do nothing to weaken Tasmania’s gun laws.”

Mr Hodgman said the state’s gun laws had been changed on 14 occassions since 1996.

But he evaded Opposition questions on whether he had received advice about the planned laws from then Police Minister Rene Hidding.

“If there is uncertainy it can be tested in the Parliamentary inquiry,” he said,

“If there is any suggestion that this policy contravenes the NFA then we will not do it.”