Public consultation closed for the review of the Tasmanian Firearms Act in December 2010 - 16 months ago.

``Police Minister David O'Byrne has been sitting on recommended changes to the Firearms Act for well over a year. What does Minister O'Byrne have to hide?,'' Liberal police spokesperson Elise Archer said.

``The Liberals believe that we need sensible, balanced gun laws and we will look carefully at the recommendations from the review of the Firearms Act.

``That is, if and when the government ever releases them.''

Mr O'Byrne said that the review was in its final stages and that he expected the report to be submitted to state cabinet ``in the near future''.

``In general terms, the review indicates our gun laws are effective, and working well,'' Mr O'Byrne said.

``This is an important community safety issue, and we've taken the necessary time to consult and consider it carefully.''

Greens spokesman Paul O'Halloran outlined his party's policy, calling for a ban on all automatic and semi-automatic handguns for private use and stronger penalties for possession of illegal firearms.

``We believe ownership and possession of all weapons should be restricted to those with a legitimate need,'' Mr O'Halloran said.

``The Greens want to raise the age at which a firearm can be handled to 18 years.''

Australian gun laws were radically transformed in 1996, after 35 people were killed and 18 were injured in the Port Arthur massacre.

More than 34,000 prohibited firearms were surrendered to police for destruction in Tasmania and more than 600,000 nationwide under the federal government's gun buyback scheme, costing taxpayers an estimated $600 million.

As of March, there were 126, 654 guns of all categories registered in Tasmania.