Nationals MPs are warning there could be a backlash federally if the controversial Adler shotgun is placed into the restrictive category D.

Because of the way gun laws in Australia work, there needs to be a consensus from the states and territories about how to classify firearms.

New South Wales was pushing for the weapon to be put in a more relaxed category, but it is understood that at this week's COAG leaders meeting on Friday, NSW Premier Mike Baird will not oppose moves to make it accessible only to professional shooters.

The federal MP for the rural electorate of Parkes in the NSW central west, Mark Coulton, said moving the weapon into category D would mean very few shooters, mainly those who work professionally in pest control, would be able to access the weapon.

"I think a lot of people that are concerned about this issue are thinking that this could be the thin-end of the wedge," he said.

"If the Adler gets reclassified some of the other firearms that they are using on a fairly regular basis might come under the same scrutiny.

"And I think that's probably the root of the concern with a lot of people, rather than whether they want to own an Adler themselves."

Mr Coulton said he was not a gun enthusiast, but was willing to make his views clear to the Prime Minister on behalf of those in his electorate who wanted access to the weapon.

"I wouldn't dare tell the Prime Minister what decision he should come to, but I will suggest that they look at what's before them and try and disregard any of the emotional arguments that we've seen over the last couple of months," he said.

Category D is 'a little bit harsh'

Federal Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd said he would oppose a move to put the Adler A110 into category D.

Mr O'Dowd, whose electorate is in Central Queensland, is pushing for a category B classification.

"I think it's a little bit harsh, considering a lot of category B owners are responsible gun owners and they've ticked most of the boxes I believe," he said.

Mr O'Dowd said putting it into category D could cause angst in rural communities, and that he had fielded calls from constituents who wanted to access the shotgun.

"We'll be putting our case forward because we represent the bush, and it's the people in the bush who want this gun in the main, they're the ones who I represent," he said.

Both Mr O'Dowd and Mr Coulton argue there is no evidence that the Adler is being used illegally.

They are both worried that the recent state by-election in the NSW seat of Orange, where the Nationals lost the safe seat to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF), shows that voters do not want their access to guns restricted.

"No-one is calling for the watering down of the John Howard-era gun laws, but to say that proponents of wanting to use certain firearms is just in the hands of a couple of extreme crazies is not right," Mr Coulton said.

"I think one thing that showed up in Orange is that sporting shooters do have support, a wide range of support, in regional areas."

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers ready to pounce

One politicians who is ready to take advantage of the discontent is the SFF's Robert Borsak.

The SFF won the Orange by-election last month with a massive swing of 34 per cent against the Nationals.

"This is an issue of the ongoing culture of the national party and indeed the liberal party, treating people's opinions and people's culture as trash, and it's unacceptable," he said.

Mr Borsak said gun owners would see this as the first step in restricting all lever action firearms.

"Putting the Adler into (category) D effectively then opens up the re-categorisation of every single lever action firearm in Australia into category D," he said.

"There are literally millions of them in Australia. What do they intend to do in the long run? This will absolutely resonate right across the whole electorate."

He is warning his party will target Federal Lower House seats held by the Nationals and the Liberals in future elections.

"If the Federal Government wants to continue a process of oppression for no good reason, then what they will see is Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party campaigning at the federal election also in the House of Representatives, to try to get rid of some of these bad lawmakers, these arrogant people who think that they can sit on high and make rules not based on any fact, not based on incidents, but simply based on lies and propaganda."

Advocates want more restrictions

Gun control advocates say the possible restriction does not go far enough, because the five-round Adler is already accessible in the least restrictive category A.

This particular type of Adler is able to be modified so that it can hold at least 11 cartridges.

"We're not saying that you can't have firearms, what we're saying is that you can't have this particular type of firearm, this rapid-fire style firearm for general hunting or recreational activities," Samantha Lee from Gun Control Australia said.