The Tasmanian Government is taking community consultation on its plans to change the laws regarding antique firearms in the state, including introducing registration for them, with submissions open until 2 April.
The Firearms Amendment (Antique Firearms) Bill 2025 will define antique firearms as muzzle-loading firearms manufactured before January 1, 1900; and they will have to be registered.
All owners of antique firearms will need either an antique firearms permit or a firearms licence. No cost will be involved for the permit or registration.
Registered antique firearms will be subject to some secure storage requirements, albeit not quite to the same level as a regular firearm.
Tasmania Police says “owners will simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it is stored” and “there will be no requirements for engraving or stamping of the antique firearm”.
The bill specifically exempts cartridge-firing guns from the definition of ‘antique’, meaning 19th century rifles firing obsolete cartridges — such as Snider-Enfields, Martini-Henrys and Remington Rolling blocks — will require licensing and registration, the same as modern guns.
In the explanatory information accompanying the consultation announcement, the restriction on cartridge-firing or breech-loaded arms (even using long-obsolete and unavailable ammunition) is justified on questionable public safety grounds.
Submissions on the bill close at 5pm on Thursday, 2 April.
Full information on the consultation, including copies of the bill and the explanatory information, can be found here: https://www.police.tas.gov.au/consultation/consultation-on-the-firearms-amendment-antique-firearms-bill-2025/
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