A new statewide alliance, Shooting, Hunting and Outdoors Tasmania (SHOT), has been established to oppose proposed firearm caps and buybacks and to advocate for evidence-based policy.
SHOT brings together shooting, hunting, outdoor and industry organisations under a single, coordinated structure to ensure a unified response to reforms that target lawful firearm ownership without addressing criminal misuse or system failures.
SHOT will officially launch at AGFEST, Shed S38, 7 to 9 May.
Proposed firearm law changes in Tasmania do not address the failures in law enforcement intelligence, coordination and intervention that lead to a high-risk individual legally obtaining a firearms licence.
"Changes to policy must address intelligence and system failures. Caps and buybacks do not identify risk, improve information sharing, or remove firearms from criminals or terrorists," SHOT spokesperson Peter Williams said.
Australia's firearms laws under the National Firearms Agreement already require licensing, registration, demonstrated genuine reason and need, probity checks, secure storage and ongoing oversight. These mechanisms assess suitability and risk at the individual level, which is where regulatory focus should remain.
SHOT said arbitrary limits are disconnected from how firearms are used in practice across Tasmania. Primary producers, hunters, sport shooters and collectors often require different firearms for legitimate and lawful purposes, including pest control, primary production, competition and historical collecting. A blanket cap fails to account for these realities and risks undermining legitimate activity, particularly in regional areas.
Mr Williams said, "The alliance rejects firearm caps and buybacks outright. These policies will not improve public safety or prevent a further tragic event. They will only impose further restrictions on lawful sporting shooters, farmers and businesses already operating within one of the most tightly regulated frameworks in the country."
The call for the government to introduce unevidenced knee-jerk policy changes reflects a broader failure across government to follow established policy development standards.
"This is a whole-of-government problem, across all sides of politics, where well-established evidence-based and consultative processes are being set aside in favour of reactive policy," Mr Williams said.
SHOT is calling for a shift in focus toward intelligence-led, evidence-based public safety measures, including strengthened inter-agency information sharing, targeted disruption of illegal firearm markets, and increased enforcement against criminal possession and use of firearms.
"SHOT will continue to engage with government and stakeholders to advocate for practical reform that supports public safety, while recognising the needs and cultural heritage of lawful firearm ownership and outdoor activity in Tasmania," Mr Williams said.