New firearms law looking promising
New firearms legislation could shape hunting and firearm ownership for the next decade. While the proposed Arms Bill includes several positive changes, hunting organisations say some provisions need adjustment to better support legitimate firearm use.
The Government’s Arms Bill will likely shape the future of firearms ownership and use for the next decade or more. The good news is that it makes a good attempt to modernise firearms legislation and strengthen public safety while reducing unnecessary compliance for responsible owners.
Firearms are an essential tool for hunters, game animal managers and pest controllers. Regulation must therefore be practical and informed by real world situations. Provisions within the Bill to separate regulatory and enforcement functions, establish an independent review mechanism for licensing decisions, retain the minimum licensing age of 16, and maintain a 10-year licence term go some way to doing that.
We also support provisions relating to pragmatic licensing solutions enabling supervised use of firearms and ammunition by those without a licence and that enable legitimate hunting tourism while maintaining fit and proper person safeguards.
A number of aspects of the 230-page Bill require amendment to ensure it does not inadvertently undermine the legitimate use of firearms.
The current definition of ‘animal and biosecurity controller’ need careful consideration to not inadvertently hinder volunteer-run game animal management and pest control programmes, and there needs to be safeguards around access to information within the firearm registry. Access should only be applicable for agencies that have a core regulatory or enforcement role.
Participation in hunting and the contribution hunters make to conservation and pest control outcomes are directly influenced by firearms regulation. Reasonable, well-designed firearm rules encourage compliance and support participation. The legislation as it progresses through its remaining stages in Parliament must reflect this.
