Theft data spurs row on gun laws

MORE than 2000 guns have been reported stolen across the state in the past decade, as Premier Will Hodgman moves to change the state’s firearm laws.

According to new figures released by the Gun Control Australia lobby group — obtained under Freedom of Information laws — Tasmania accounts for 8 per cent of national gun thefts, despite making up just 2 per cent of Australia’s population.

Between the 2007/8 and 2016/17 financial years, 2084 guns were reported stolen in the state.

Hunting rifles and shotguns were the most common stolen firearms, followed by handguns.

The most firearm thefts were recorded between 2014 and 2016, with 517 guns stolen during the two years.

Gun Control Australia vice president and Tasmanian spokesman Roland Browne said it was an “embarrassing and significant” problem plaguing the state.

“There’s been a very, very large number of guns that have moved into the hands of criminals and the black market,” he said.

“It's alarming and it means that Tasmania’s storage requirements have been inadequate for over a decade.”

Mr Browne said most firearms were stolen from farms and the homes of legal gun owners.

“These figures should be an eye opener for the Premier because they indicate a larger rate of thefts from rural areas,” he said.

The numbers come as Premier Will Hodgman prepares to give farmers greater access to Category C firearms, such as self-loading rifles and pump-action shotguns, and double some licences from five to 10 years.

However, Police Minister Michael Ferguson said there would be no changes to the firearm storage requirements, which were toughened late last year.

“We have made it clear that we will not do anything that puts Tasmanians at risk or is inconsistent with the National Firearms Agreement,” he said.

“Tasmania now has the toughest storage requirements in the country and there is no proposal to change that.

“The latest figures show these changes are working as intended with a significant reduction in firearm theft in Tasmania.”

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Frame backed the Government, saying firearm thefts are decreasing due to high levels of storage, gun owner vigilance and regular inspections by police.

From July 1 last year to the end of February there were 19 firearms thefts, down 26 when compared with the previous year. Under the changes, timber firearms safes are no longer compliant with the storage legislation and firearm owners who possess handguns, or 10 or more firearms, are required to have electronic security.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff said the Liberals’ policy was dangerous and would make the community less safe.

“Tasmania needs stronger laws to ensure guns are safely secured, and the availability of rapid-fire weapons is restricted,” she said.

“Instead of hiding behind an Upper House inquiry, the Liberals should scrap their dangerous policy now.”

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party committee member Carlo Di Falco said it would cost farmers and hunters up to $12.5 million to upgrade their storage units statewide.

“It’s not the firearm that's dangerous, it’s the person that's in possession of it,” he said.

“The penalty is the problem, there’s no deterrent for professional thieves who are knocking off firearms.”