Lever-action shotguns in Queensland will be classed with pump-action and self-loading weapons, and subject to tougher restrictions, under a reclassification of firearms to take effect from March next year.

Currently, lever-action guns are included in the lowest level Category A.

The guns will be reclassified to Category B if they have a capacity of five rounds or fewer.

But those weapons with a higher capacity will be shifted to the more restricted Category D.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move would limit access to only a small number of high-capacity shotguns, in line with a COAG decision last year to strengthen the National Firearms Agreement (NFA).

"This won't prevent primary producers from eradicating vermin, but ensures that all high-capacity lethal firearms can only be possessed by the very small number of people who have a legitimate reason to do so," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have all legislated to reclassify lever-action shotguns in accordance with the revised NFA.

"The other jurisdictions are at various stages of implementation."

Ms Palaszczuk said it would not stop primary producers eradicating vermin, but would ensure those who own lever-action shotguns had a legitimate reason to do so.

'Knee-jerk reaction' on gun laws

But Sporting Shooters Association of Australia state president Bob Green said it was not the first time politicians had made knee-jerk reactions on gun laws and re-classifying lever-action shotguns would have no effect on public safety.

"A lever-action shotgun is what many of us old guys call a 'clanger' — they're slow and cumbersome to use and they're used for certain competitions and general hunting around the state for wild pigs and things like that," he said.

"The reclassification of lever-action firearms is like chalk and cheese — it's like banning a horse and sulky compared with a modern car."

Mr Green also dismissed claims last week by Gun Control Australia that Queensland was lagging behind in implementing the National Firearms Agreement signed by all states and territories 20 years ago in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre.

"Will Ms Palaszczuk go down in history for changing the gun laws — I don't think so," he said.

"The original move was by [former prime minister] John Howard — whether it was right or wrong, it was a knee-jerk reaction.

"But at the end of the day, the little bits of changes by the states will make virtually no difference, certainly on lever-action firearms."

ALP seeking support from 'urban elites': Katter

Katter's Australian Party (KAP) state leader Rob Katter described the reclassification as an ill-informed political move by the Queensland Government.

It has given notice of a disallowance motion to be debated on Wednesday night.

However, the motion is likely to fail with the Opposition declaring support for the new restriction.

The changes would not improve safety, Mr Katter said.

"It's not an evidence-based decision, this is just purely a political decision and that's wrong, that's poor government and that's not how these decisions should be made," he said.

"They're doing this to gain political points for the mostly urban elites that like hearing that they're tough on guns.

"If they're going to start just arbitrarily changing categories of anything, we can expect they'll keep doing this in the future so it's the principle, that's the issue."