New South Wales Police Minister Troy Grant has thrown his weight behind a push to make it easier to import the controversial Adler shotgun into Australia.

The Federal Government imposed a temporary ban on imports of the Adler shotgun last year, and will not lift the ban until the states and territories have reached a consensus.

The classification of the Adler is currently under review because it has a capacity of more than five cartridges.

Mr Grant, who is also the Deputy Premier, will ask his Cabinet colleagues to endorse a plan to move the rapid-fire lever-action shotgun from category A to category B.

Placing the Adler in category B would ensure that gun users wanting to import the firearm could do so, provided it was for a specific purpose like shooting feral pigs.

What's the fuss about? Some Adler shotguns have a magazine capacity of seven rounds, with another round in the barrel

Some Adler shotguns have a magazine capacity of seven rounds, with another round in the barrel The weapon's lever action has been described as relatively fast moving, allowing shots to be fired in quick succession

The weapon's lever action has been described as relatively fast moving, allowing shots to be fired in quick succession Opponents are concerned if it gets into the wrong hands, it could lead to a tragic event like Port Arthur

Opponents are concerned if it gets into the wrong hands, it could lead to a tragic event like Port Arthur Advocates believe it will assist rural shooters with "feral pest destruction"

Anti-gun lobbyists argue it should be moved into the more restrictive C or D categories, alongside semi-automatic weapons.

In a statement, Mr Grant told the ABC he had been working with his Federal National Party colleagues to finalise the plan, which calls for both five and seven-shot Adlers to be moved into category B.

"Legal firearm owners need to stop being blamed for criminal activity involving illegal guns used by gangs and terrorists," he said.

"Throw the book at criminals and anyone dealing in illegal firearms, but get off the backs of hard-working decent farmers and sport and recreational shooters."

Leyonhjelm 'deceived' by the Coalition

If the NSW Cabinet approves his plan but other states and territory ministers do not, the Federal Government will not be in a position to lift the ban.

That would infuriate the NSW senator David Leyonhjelm, who today accused the Federal Government of backing out on a previous written agreement to trade his vote on earlier legislation for an end to the prohibition on imports.

He told reporters at Parliament House he had been "deceived" by the Coalition, citing an agreement he had reached with Abbott government minister Michael Keenan and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in which the ban would be lifted in exchange for his vote on legislation.

But he also said he would support moving the Adler into category B.

"If shotguns were brought into line with rifles so that they also had a 10-round limit and they were moved into a category B, I think most would be comfortable with that," he said.

"I think the people who I represent as licensed firearm owners would consider that a reasonable outcome."

The ABC understands that the NSW Government will finalise its position at Cabinet this Thursday, ahead of a meeting of police and justice ministers the following day in Melbourne, where the issue is expected to be discussed.

Mr Grant's proposal is also supported by Federal Liberal MP Ian Goodenough, who said the temporary ban should be lifted once the states have agreed on a suitable classification.

"I think it takes time because we have got six different state and territory police ministers of these jurisdictions reaching a common view," he said.

"It probably needs to be lifted in a measured way to coincide with agreement on the categorisation on the shotgun."