Tasmania Rejects Firearm Ownership Caps

0:00What's up, Sydney? This is Sydney News today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. Tasmania's police commissioner has called on the state government to cap the number of firearms individuals can own, but officials turned down the idea. In a letter dated February 5th, Commissioner Donna Adams pointed to tragedies like the recent Bondi attack, the 1996 Port Arthur, Massacre, and the murder of Constable Keith Smith in June 2025, as proof of the dangers. She warned that even legal guns can end up in the wrong hands through theft, fueling crimes like family violence. Adams noted Tasmania has 157,000 registered firearms, held by 46,598 licensed holders. With nearly 9,000 owning six or more, the government responded three weeks later by ruling out any caps. Premier Jeremy Rockliffe said they would not introduce limits, while police minister Felix Ellis argued it would punish responsible owners like farmers.

1:02Instead, they wrote out reforms including a buyback scheme, citizenship checks for buyers, and reclassifying high-powered guns. After the Bondi incident, national leaders pushed states to consider ownership caps, but Tasmania stuck to targeting criminals over broad. Restrictions. Ellis put it bluntly, one gun with a terrorist, beats 100 with law-abiding folks. Now opposition leader Josh Willie says, labor will team up with independence to force caps through parliament, calling the government stance weak on, safety. Ellis fired back online, mocking the plan as anti-farmer and urging petitions against it. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. Press play. Put your head down, the sound is already there. S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.