Proposed gun reforms 'betrayal of Tasmanians', critics say

Tasmania's government has introduced proposed gun law reforms in parliament, intending to boost community safety. These reforms involve reclassifying certain firearms to a more restrictive license and requiring Australian citizenship for owners, excluding currently owned guns and those held by non-citizens. The bill is scheduled for debate in early September, with the Greens and Labor hinting at seeking amendments.

Critics, including the Labor and Greens parties, have described the reforms as "extraordinarily weak" and a "betrayal of Tasmanians." The legislation, introduced in response to last year's Bondi terror attack, does not include a limit on the number of guns a person can own. Police Commissioner Donna Adams had previously called for such a limit.

The bill also fails to grandfather the grandfathering of clauses, meaning it will not apply to guns already owned or to non-citizens who currently own legal guns. Green police spokesperson Tabatha Badger called the bill "deeply disappointing," while Labor leader Josh Willie accused the government of being "soft on crime." Police Minister Felix Ellis defended the reforms, emphasizing the need to balance public safety with the rights of farmers, hunters, and recreational shooters.