VICTORIAN senator Ricky Muir has fired back at the ­Abbott Government’s “over-reaction” to a new a lever-­action shotgun.

Hunting groups have slammed the Federal Government’s importation suspension of the Adler A110 — involving about 7000 guns — after authorities claimed it could undermine laws introduced after the Port Arthur massacre.

Gippsland-based Senator Muir, who has a 28-inch version of the gun on order, said the ban would hurt only “law-abiding hunters” who were “unfairly targeted” by the ban.

The ban threatens to also drive a wedge in the ­Coalition Government, with many ­Nationals MPs concerned at the move.

“These are guns which are obtained legally and have been around for 100 years,” Senator Muir said, vowing to fight the Government on the ban with fellow senator David Leyonhjelm. Senator Muir said the gun was no more high powered than a normal shotgun.

“This isn’t going to do anything to stop a terror attack like the Lindt cafe — this is just going to further victimise ­people who have legal guns for legitimate reason — and mainly country people,” he said.