Licensing & security

Legislation summary - Tasmania

1. Licensing requirements
Under Section 37 (1) (a)-(h) of the Tasmanian Firearms Act 1996:
(1) A genuine reason to possess or use a firearm is any of the following:

• Sport or target shooting;
• recreational hunting or vermin control;
• primary production;
• animal population control;
• animal welfare;
• business or employment as a firearms dealer, security agent or security guard;
• firearms collection;
• show or exhibition;

Under Sections 38 and 39 (a)-(d), a licence applicant whose genuine reason is sport or target shooting must be a member of an "approved shooting organisation". Anyone seeking to licence a firearm for recreational hunting or vermin control must produce proof that they have the permission of an owner or occupier of land, or the Director-General of Lands, or the Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, or a forest officer as defined in the Forestry Act. Tasmania issues hunting permits which cover a range of activities in particular settings and a permit may be used to fulfil the 'genuine reason' criteria.

• A 28 day waiting period applies to all permits to acquire a firearm.

• All new licensees in Tasmania are required to complete a safety training course through a College of Technical And Further Education (TAFE).

2. Storage requirements
Under Sections 85 and 86 of the Act, category A and B firearms must be stored "in a locked receptacle of an approved type;" If the receptacle weighs less than 150kg it must be fixed to the wall or floor. Category C, D and H firearms must be held in either a steel or concrete container fixed to the wall or floor. All ammunition must be stored in a separate locked container.

3. Hunting
Hunting is permitted on private property where permission has been given and on Crown Land and certain State controlled land with an appropriate permit.

4. Moving between states
Under Sections 55 of the Firearms Act, Tasmania recognises licenses issued in other states "for the purpose of participating in an approved shooting competition or for any other approved purpose." License holders who move to Tasmania permanently must notify the Commissioner in writing of their intention. In which case their out-of-state license for category A and B firearms is valid of three months. In the case of category C, D and H firearms however, the period is 7 days.

5. Juniors
Under Section 68 of the Firearms Act, Tasmania issues what is referred to as a "Minor's permit". The holder must be at least 12 years of age and demonstrate that they have the written permission of a parent or guardian. 12 to 16 years old can handle and use firearms on the range only. 16 to 18 years old can use firearms off the range as well. The permit authorises the holder to use firearms of a specific category under supervision when either receiving safety instruction or target shooting on an approved shooting range.

It should be noted that under Section 68 of the Tasmanian Firearms Act, persons under the age of 18 years are not allowed to "possess or use" a firearm unless they hold a Minor's permit.

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