I read that Tasmania is introducing new firearms legislation requiring the registration & licensing of antique firearms. Do you think this could spread to the rest of Australia? Will this mean having to join a pistol club in order to get an “H” class pistol license in order to keep antique flintlock pistols? Is anything being done to head off this legislation?
Keith.
Tasmania tightens gun laws: Antique firearms now need to be licensed and registered. Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1900 will now need to be licensed and registered in Tasmania. Previously, antique firearms were exempt from licence, registration and storage requirements under the Firearms Act 1996.18 Jan 2024
https://pulsehobart.com.au/news/tasmania-tightens-gun-laws-antique-firearms-now-need-to-be-licensed-and-registered/#:~:text=Home%2FThe%20Latest-,Tasmania%20tightens%20gun%20laws%3A%20Antique%20firearms%20now,to%20be%20licensed%20and%20registered&text=Antique%20firearms%20manufactured%20prior%20to,under%20the%20Firearms%20Act%201996.
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18 JAN 2024 11:24 AM AEDT
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Antique firearms changes to improve community safety
A new process to manage the possession of antique (pre-1900) firearms has been implemented in Tasmania.
Until now, Exemption No. 4 under the Firearms Act 1996 has allowed people to possess certain antique (pre-1900) firearms without a licence, registration and storage requirements.
https://www.miragenews.com/antique-firearms-changes-to-improve-community-1157346/
We have and have been doing some stuff on it on Facebook, and e-mails to our Tasmanian members. We are also contacting the Tasmanian Police Commissioner and Police Minister, particularly with our concerns about the lack of consultation.
We’ve also been in touch with the Arms Collector’s Guild of Tasmania and the Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party in Tasmania as well and asked for the chance to get together and come up with some ideas.
Unfortunately we don’t have a rep “on the ground” in Tasmania anymore, which is making things a bit tougher.
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its all in motion down here in tasmania, far called it the AFTP antique firearms transition period. owners have 12 months to have their antiques registered. ive registered about 50 for owners. but some owners saying not doing it. this will lead to dramas for them. each police district must conduct spot inspections of licence holders each month. around 20 im told in each of the 3 districs. plod will find/see and antique and person will loose all their firearms and be charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm. the 12 months must be close to being up.
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If these arms are not registered, how will the authorities know who has what? Can they not just stash the antiques away somewhere until the inspections are over. The problem I had here in NSW, was that the Police could not tell an antique from a copy, & they gave all manner aggravation.
I hope these ridiculous laws do not spread to the rest of Australia, I do not want to have to stamp serial numbers on my antiques, & as for registration this will entail the confiscation of handguns unless one is a member of a pistol club & attends at a regular time. The nearest pistol club is a long way from where I live, & frankly on my pension I can not afford the fees or the travel costs.
Keith.
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in tasmania keith serial numbers can be attached by a tag as not to destroy value of antique. hiding them is up to you but if ever found by plod you would loose every thing. also when you pass your executor would need instructions to deal with any. if they are genuine antiques get letter of authenticity and hold legaly. might need collectors licence. every state is different. recently i sent 2 to south aust few months ago and been told by buyers plods stalling re dealer deregistering as every firearm in and out of tasmania must go dealer to dealer. or sell them all now keith and enjoy the quids youll get.
I don’t have antiques for the monetary investment, I have antiques because I love to own a piece of history & enjoy seeing how they were made. There was only one gunsmith in this area, & he did not comply with my request to identify my antiques. There are also no longer any gun shops in this area. I will just have to play it by ear.
Keith.
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i hear you m8, good luck with it.
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