Tasmania’s lower house has voted against an amendment that would have placed a cap on the number of firearms an individual can legally own, ensuring no such limit will be introduced as part of the state government’s ongoing firearms reform legislation. The amendment, put forward by Labor, was defeated by a narrow margin of 16 votes to 15 on Thursday, September 10, 2026, according to ABC News.
The proposed cap sought to limit recreational hunters to five firearms, while primary producers and competitive shooters would have been restricted to 10. The amendment also included provisions for the Police Commissioner to grant exemptions for legitimate reasons.
Voting in favour of the amendment were Labor members, the Greens, and independents Helen Burnet, Peter George, and Kristie Johnston. Opposing the cap were the Liberal state government, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco, and independents David O’Byrne, Craig Garland, and George Razay.
Police Minister Felix Ellis stated the government’s strong opposition to the amendment, arguing it lacked an evidence base and would unfairly penalise law-abiding firearms owners without effectively removing illegal guns from circulation. The government’s focus, according to Minister Ellis, is on preventing firearms from falling into the hands of criminals and terrorists.
Despite the government’s stance, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams had previously urged the Police Minister in February to consider supporting ownership limits. Labor leader Josh Willie reportedly called for members to seize the opportunity to partner with the federal government on a buyback scheme. Independent MP George Razay, whose vote was considered crucial, acknowledged merit in a cap scheme but ultimately felt the proposed amendment did not strike the right balance, particularly concerning agricultural communities and hunters.
The vote occurred during the debate on the government’s broader Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill 2026. This legislation includes several other significant reforms, such as implementing Tasmanian requirements for a national firearms register, introducing a buyback scheme, and establishing mandatory minimum jail terms for serious firearms offences.
Further changes within the bill, which have been approved, include strengthening the “fit and proper person” test for firearm licence applicants. This will allow the Police Commissioner to consider an applicant’s family violence history in other states, recognised risk factors for family violence, and the potential for an unsuitable family member or partner to access firearms. A conviction for family violence will now prevent a person from obtaining a licence for 10 years, an increase from the previous five-year period.
The government’s bill is expected to pass the lower house and proceed to the upper house later this year for further consideration. The estimated cost of a buyback scheme, as cited by Police Minister Felix Ellis, is between $40 million and $90 million.