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Tasmania is being urged to amend its Firearms Act to restrict 3D gun printing. Gun Control Australia has written to all three political parties in the state, pushing for legislation to ban the unauthorised possession and distribution of digital images of firearms. Roland Brown, spokesman for Gun Control Australia, said a “simple amendment” was needed. “I have written to the three parties enlisting their support. I cannot conceive any reason they could not support this initiative,” he said. “The last thing we want is people manufacturing firearms, especially combat type firearms and handguns, in their homes. Not even as a joke.” New South Wales was the first state in the country to pass the legislation in 2015. The laws apply to anyone found in possession of blueprints or found to be manufacturing guns using a 3D printer, without an appropriate licence. Police Minister Rene Hidding said it was “completely illegal” to manufacture or possess any firearm part outside of Tasmania’s licensing system. “However, we will monitor developments in other jurisdictions to consider whether it might be necessary to specifically legislate to control any developments in this technology,” he said. The Opposition and the Greens have been contacted for comment.

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