Following the Martin Place siege in Sydney last year, a federal government review recommended that state governments consider updating their National Firearms Agreements.

As part of that process, popular collector lever action and pump action shotguns could be reclassified, making antique shotguns a much less valuable pastime and obtaining a licence far more difficult.

‘‘That process is under way, incorporating advice from all federal and state law enforcement agencies, and engaging with lawful gun owners to produce sensible reforms,’’ a Tasmanian government spokesman said on Tuesday.

‘‘The appropriate treatment of lever action shotguns such as the Adler will be considered as part of that process.’’

Antique gun collectors are concerned their prized armouries could be significantly devalued if new laws force them to deactivate their guns – some of which are worth more than $200,000.

Last week, a letter from the Antique and Historical Arms Collectors Guild of Victoria urged gun owners to band together and be mindful of potential law changes in Tasmania.

The letter addressed rumours about all lever action and pump action longarms being reclassified as C category longarms.

Antique and Historical Arms Collectors Guild of Victoria secretary Dr Malcolm McKay said he sent the letter to his Tasmanian counterparts to promote awareness, not to cause trouble with the government.

‘‘We are working on the principle that it’s better to be prepared,’’ he said.

‘‘In the past we have sometimes been caught on the back foot.

‘‘Deactivating the guns destroys the value. Just the other week one was sold in Melbourne for $400,000. You can imagine what this would do.’’

Launceston gun dealer and Tasmanian Firearm Dealers Association chairman Jeff Blackmore called the review ‘‘ludicrous’’.

‘‘It’s unacceptable. Can anyone demonstrate a current problem with lever action shotguns in Tasmania or Australia?’’ he said.