Victoria has announced new enforcements following the National Cabinet’s decision to put a temporary ban on additional access to firearms and ammunition across the country.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the state had seen “a doubling of attempts to access firearms - category A and B - and also of ammunition” in the past week.

“We are concerned by those figures,” she told media on Tuesday.

“And we’re also concerned about this is an incredibly stressful time for people and we know that there are pressures around family violence and also around work and people spending a lot of time together.”

Empty roads near rod Laver Arena in the heart of the city on March 30. Credit: Bill Blair / Getty Images

The ban - which is effective immediately for the foreseeable future - applies to sport and recreational uses of firearms, not primary producers or security guards.

Neville said the decision was about “keeping our community safe”.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said increasing numbers of people seeking firearm permits had been consistent across the country.

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“There was no need for this attempted stockpiling so we’re nipping it in the bud right now,” he said.

Sutton said about 2,200 permits had been applied for in the past week, compared to the average weekly total of fewer than 1,000.

Firearm and ammunition sales have now been banned in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Victoria recorded 96 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, taking the state’s total to 917.

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