No limit on gun ownership in Tasmania after amendment fails

There will not be a cap on the number of guns a person can own in Tasmania, after the lower house voted not to amend the state government's firearms reform legislation.The amendment from the opposition lost 15-16, as debate on the government's bill continued for the third straight day.The changes proposed by the government, including setting up the Tasmanian requirements for a national firearms register and a buyback scheme, as well as mandatory minimum jail terms for serious firearms offences, were announced in the wake of the Bondi shooting.Caps, which were not included in the government's bill, were supported by Labor, the Greens, and independents Helen Burnet, Peter George and Kristie Johnston.The state government, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco, and independents David O'Byrne, Craig Garland and George Razay voted against them.Professor Razay was the last MP to reveal their stance on ownership caps. All others declared their position during debate on Tuesday.George Razay said he was not convinced the caps "equalled greater public safety, while striking a sufficient balance". (Supplied)Professor Razay said there was merit in caps, but was wary of the impact they would have had on the agricultural community and hunters.Under Labor's proposal, there would have been a limit of five guns, or 10 guns for primary producers and sports shooters.It had proposed the state's police commissioner be given powers to grant exemptions to that limit.The state government did not support the caps, having said the restrictions would target law-abiding firearms owners, rather than criminals.The state government did not support the caps, saying the limits would affect firearms owners rather than criminals. (ABC News)'Serious' debate hears strong opinionsLabor's police spokesperson Jen Butler said the issue of caps was one of the most serious she had debated during her time in parliament."I don't think we should be prioritising the voices of the gun lobby, or firearms dealers, above what's best for Tasmanian people," she said."All we are asking for is to have a reduction in the number of guns we have in our community," she said.She was one of several members to reference the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in their contribution.Greens police spokesperson Tabatha Badger said caps were not "the be-all and end-all", but would be "something else in the toolbox" to help improve safety.Police Minister Felix Ellis maintained that targeting serious firearms offences was the best way to improve safety."It is not the number of firearms, it is the hands they are in," he said.He also said that despite the increase in the number of firearms, the number of homicides and firearm thefts had fallen.Mr Ellis told the house caps would not have stopped the Bondi massacre, as the shooters had just three guns between them.Fit and proper persons test strengthenedWhile the bill passed its second reading late on Wednesday night, MP's have been debating each clause and potential amendments on Thursday afternoon.Several changes were also made to the fit and proper person test, largely to address the impacts of family violence.An amendment from independent MP Kristie Johnston passed, giving the police commissioner the power to consider if a licence applicant has a history of family violence in another state, or has displayed behaviour that was "a recognised precursor or risk factor for family violence".That would include coercion, intimidation, damage to property or increased police attendance.Another change will allow the commissioner to consider if a family member or partner, who is not a fit and proper person, would have access to an applicant's guns.Ms Badger also successfully moved an amendment giving the commissioner the power to consider the likelihood of the applicant using a firearm to make threats.Those who have been convicted of a family violence offence would also be unable to obtain a licence for 10 years, up from five in the original bill.A bid by Mr Di Falco to create a permit system for individuals to be able to own firearms suppressors failed.Gun ownership grandfathering to be removedThe state government had proposed reclassifying straight-pull action firearms, similar to those used by the Bondi shooters, but grandfathering the change so that current owners were not affected.However, this grandfathering will be removed from the bill, with the support of the Greens and independents Helen Burnet, David O'Byrne and Peter George.The government's bill also makes Australian citizenship a licence requirement; however, this change would also be grandfathered, allowing current non-Australian licence holders to keep their licences.A bid from the opposition to remove this provision is set to fail, after not gaining enough support.