Felix Ellis has backed down on changes to licensing of antique firearms

The Liberals have abandoned plans to force owners of antique firearms to get a licence. Find out why.

The firearms seized by police from former antique gun dealer Stuart Norton Woods, who was sentenced for firearms offences on December 13, 2021. Picture: Annie McCann.

The government has backed down on plans for owners of antique guns to be licensed - admitting the change did not “get the balance right”.

It is the second about face by Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis who was forced to abandon the government’s push for a fire and emergency services levy after a backlash from farmers, businesses and some councils.

If the government is re-elected there will be no licensing requirements and no requirement to do a firearms safety course with antique firearms manufactured prior to January 1900 only needing to be registered with Tasmania Police.

Mr Ellis said: “We have listened and accept that the changes that were introduced recently do not get the balance right.”

“We recognise that antique firearms rendered incapable of being fired are often valuable heirlooms, passed down generations, or collected for their historical value.

“An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to support law abiding firearms owners and keep Tasmanians safe from firearms crime, and we believe that this change strikes that balance.”

Labor MP Dr Shane Broad said the changes should never have been made and it was “completely disingenuous” for Mr Ellis to act on concerns after an election had been called.

“Mr Ellis has made so many missteps and backflips in his time as Minister and this is just one more,” he said.

Former Hobart councillor Jeff Briscoe, who owned an heirloom bushranger gun that he inherited from his late father, had slammed the changes arguing they were akin to getting a “lorry licence to ride a bike”.

Jeff Briscoe with his Brooks of Birmingham 1830 percussion musket. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Briscoe described the change as “wonderful news”.

“Commonsense has prevailed and I congratulate the Minister for reconsidering,” he said.

Mr Ellis said when registering an antique firearm owners would simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it was stored.

He said the process would be “100 per cent free” and there will be no requirement for engraving or stamping of the antique weapon.

“If it is to be displayed, there will be display requirements including that the firearm must safely be secured in a rack or in a locked display cabinet that is fitted with glass or other material of sufficient strength to prevent theft,” Mr Ellis said.

“These rules will apply to an antique firearm that was manufactured prior to 1 January 1900, is not designed to discharge cartridge ammunition, and for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available.”