The upper house is still considering the changes, but has already passed amendments to remove compulsory three-month jail terms for the offence of possessing a stolen gun.

Premier Will Hodgman said the laws, which also involve tougher storage requirements for shooters, would make the state a safer place.

‘‘We have taken to the Parliament a set of reforms that the previous government was unable to progress,’’ he said. ‘‘As a result, we’ll see stronger penalties for those who unlawfully acquire firearms; we’ll see safer regimes to ensure that the community and, indeed, firearms owners are better protected.’’

Mr Hodgman said no government could achieve every single part of its agenda.

‘‘On occasions, we will secure the result that we seek,’’ he said.

‘‘It won’t always happen. We accept that it’s part of the democratic process.’’

Amendments by MLCs also dropped the minimum age for supervised shooting to 14, despite the government only seeking to make it 15.

It was the second time the Legislative Council has blocked the government’s attempts to introduce mandatory sentences, after rejecting the more controversial parts of the anti-protest laws.

However, the upper house did pass laws to mandate a minimum six-month jail term for assaulting a police officer.

Debate will continue on the gun laws  on Tuesday.