Shooter anger over proposed gun licencing mental health questions

Proposed changes to the Firearms Licence application process in Tasmania are facing criticism from the Shooters Union, which claims that new mental health-related questions are invasive, offensive and discriminatory.

The draft application forms released by Tasmania Police Firearms Services include enquiries about applicants' mental health history, specifically whether they have ever attended an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Phillip Bigg, president of Shooters Union Tasmania, argued these questions are unnecessary and could discourage individuals from seeking necessary mental health support, thereby perpetuating stigma around mental health issues.

“One of the questions is have you ever attended an appointment with a psychologist or a psychiatrist - key word being ever," he said.

Mr Bigg said the potential negative impact on individuals who may have sought professional help for past challenges, such as job loss or family issues, will discover that thanks to seeking help, they are now going to have to “jump through near-impossible hoops just so they can go clay target shooting.”

“A lot of jobs, including emergency services and ADF roles, require mandatory sessions with a psychologist - so those people will find themselves in the same boat,” he said.

Mr Bigg said primary producers would be especially hard-hit by the questions, given the consequences for answering them honestly.

“Farmers and primary producers have significant mental health pressures and frequently struggle with seeking help for them,” he said.

“No farmer, especially one who is struggling with poor crops, low prices at the gate, or financial pressures, is going to seek professional help if doing so will jeopardise their ability to make a living or keep their farm going."

Mr Bigg believes the new forms essentially say “If you seek help, you'll lose your gun licence.”

He said as far as he was aware, none of the shooting peak bodies were consulted about this before this new draft form was released.

“Where are the Police Minister and Shadow Police Minister in all this? Did absolutely no-one else read that form and think hey, these questions are inappropriate, unnecessary and actually counter-productive?” he said.

MEANWHILE, the Tasmanian Government says it is delivering on its commitment to support law abiding antique firearm owners, releasing a consultation paper on proposed amendments to the Firearms Act 1996.

The changes seek to implement commitments that the Liberal Party took to this year’s state election, including: 

• There will be no licensing requirements, and no requirement to do a firearms safety course;
• Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1 January 1900 will only need to be registered with Tasmania Police;
• Owners will simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it is stored;
• There will be no requirement for engraving or stamping of the antique weapon;
• The process will be 100 per cent free; and
• If it is to be displayed, there will be display requirements including that the firearm must safely be secured in a rack or in a locked display cabinet that is fitted with glass or other material of sufficient strength to prevent theft.

The Government is seeking feedback on three additional proposed changes:

• The requirement for an owner of an antique firearm to undergo a fit and proper person test in accordance with the Firearms Act 1996.
• 2. The need for tags to be attached to the antique firearm, and whether removal of a tag should be considered an offence.
• 3. Where an antique firearm is capable of being fired, the need for that firearm to be licensed appropriately under the Firearms Act 1996.

Submissions on the proposed changes change be made to strategy.support@dpfem.tas.gov.au.