news, local-news

A GUN control advocate has urged Police Minister David O'Byrne to prioritise proposed gun reforms in the wake of several shootings across the state. The non-fatal shooting of a man at Rocherlea on Tuesday afternoon was the sixth reported shooting incident in Northern Tasmania over the past month. Gun Control Australia spokesman Roland Browne said Tasmanians had waited too long for Mr O'Byrne to release his review of the Tasmanian Firearms Act. Public consultation closed for the review in December 2010, with subsequent legislation before cabinet. "Not only has there been a spate of shootings throughout the state, we have seen rising gun thefts, and road signs being shot out - yet we've had to wait over a year for the Police Minister to release his review of gun laws," Mr Browne said. But Mr O'Byrne said he made no apologies for "taking the time to consult widely on this very important community safety issue". "We've needed to consider some recent developments at federal level, before finalising our own reforms," Mr O'Byrne said. While Mr O'Byrne could not share details of the review and subsequent legislation while it was before cabinet, ideas featured in the review's discussion paper included: The inclusion of pump- action shotguns under the less- restricted Category A firearm licence. A separate offence with a higher penalty for the possession of a prohibited firearm without a licence. Lowering the age for minors to shoot recreationally to 14. Increasing the storage requirements for firearms. Allowing for drug or alcohol testing of people in possession of a firearm who were suspected to be under the influence. Mr O'Byrne said the upcoming reforms would "take a very tough stance against anyone using guns illegally". Mr Browne said recent gun crime pointed to a need for tighter licensing requirements, tighter storage requirements and a cap on the number of firearms included in reforms.

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