MAJOR changes to Tasmania’s gun laws are yet to be implemented at a time when the number of firearms being stolen is on the rise.

The first amendments to the Firearms Act since it was introduced following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, were passed by Tasmania’s Parliament last year.

But the progressive phasing in of the reforms means some changes, such as tougher gun-storage requirements, are still outstanding.

It comes as the number of guns being stolen increased by more than 10 per cent over the past two years.

In 2013-14, 231 guns were stolen across the state, jumping to 258 last year.

And more than 250 guns were stolen in the first nine months of this financial year, according to Budget estimates.

Police Minister Rene Hidding said gun thefts fluctuated from year to year and the tougher gun-storage rules would take effect later this year.

“Some changes have already been implemented and all reforms will be implemented by the end of this year,” he said.

“These reforms were designed to deter the theft of firearms.”

Under the changes, gun owners with more than 10 firearms will be required to have extra security measures.

New documents released by police show shotguns and rifles are the favourite targets of gun thieves.

The Right to Information data reveals thieves targeted rifles 43 times and shotguns 40 times in 2014-15. This is almost double the figure for rifles and shotguns in the previous year.

The figures also show thieves targeted homes 39 times and sheds on 15 occasions to get their hands on the weapons.

Garages were the third most likely place to have guns stolen, with five incidents.

There have been 63 separate gun-theft incidents so far this year, compared to 82 last year and 65 in 2013-14.

Deputy Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard said: “It’s an offence to not have your firearms and ammunition properly secured.

“We also encourage owners not to share details about if they own firearms or where they keep their firearms secured with others.”

Originally published as Law changes wait as gun thefts soar