Tasmania’s Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill passed the House of Assembly this week after extensive debate, with a proposed cap on the number of firearms a person can own narrowly defeated by a single vote.
The proposed Labor amendment, supported by the Greens and several independents, would have introduced ownership limits with exemptions available through the Police Commissioner.
The government-backed bill focuses on strengthening firearms security, improving information-sharing arrangements for a national firearms register, and introducing tougher penalties for serious firearms offences, including stolen firearms.
Police Minister Felix Ellis kept a focus on serious firearms offences with the intent of improving community safety, reiterating that despite the increase in registered firearms, the number of homicides and firearm thefts had fallen.
The behaviour of an Opposition MP towards independent MP Professor George Razay in parliament has also been questioned after allegedly pressing him to reverse his position to vote against a cap on firearm ownership.
Razay was the last of the 35 lower house MPs to declare his position, leaving the independent to decide whether the cap proposition progressed.
Razay appeared to be emotional as he told the house that he could not support the amendment related to caps.
“For my part, as a medical practitioner and as individual, I have devoted my life to the care and well-being of the community,” Razay said.
“I am not convinced that this amendment [gun caps] equals greater public safety, while striking sufficient balance.”
The bill will now move to Tasmania’s Legislative Council later this year, where further scrutiny and debate is expected.
Details about the progress of the Bill can be found here – Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill 2026 (30 of 2026) | Parliament of Tasmania.