New rules requiring antique firearms to be registered have provoked a backlash from shooters, who claim the change was made without proper consultation.
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Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Braddon candidate Dale Marshall said there was no justification for targeting law-abiding historical and antique collectors.
"The apparent lack of proper stakeholder engagement in this decision raises serious questions about the transparency and inclusivity of the process," Mr Marshall said in a statement.
He called for a thorough evaluation "to safeguard our rights and to protect what's left of our proud firearm history".
Following a review, Tasmania Police on Thursday cancelled an exemption under the Firearms Act 1996 that allowed guns made before 1900 to be owned without the usual licence, registration and storage requirements.
Assistant commissioner Rob Blackwood said the changes were aimed at improving community safety.
"We understand this change will impact the owners of antique firearms," he said.
"The opportunity to apply for a time limited individual exemption will give owners time to consider their options to keep, sell or dispose of the firearms.
"We'll be continuing to liaise with key stakeholder groups including approved firearms clubs and historical societies, firearms representative groups and firearms dealers to ensure affected parties are supported through these changes."
Earlier SFF Lyons candidate Ray Williams pointed to a study by the Australian Institute of Criminology that found the majority of criminal firearms offences were committed by non-licensed individuals.
"Further restrictions on firearms ownership would likely impact law-abiding citizens who have already made significant sacrifices for public safety," he said.
"Licensed firearm owners face ongoing pressure to reduce or relinquish their firearms, a trend influenced by the agenda of today's woke and politically correct society.
"This, in my view, amounts to unfair discrimination against individuals who abide by the law."
There are now four options for antique firearm owners to take to be compliant with the law:
- apply for a time-limited individual exemption from the act;
- apply for a firearms licence or licence upgrade;
- sell their antique firearm or firearms through a licensed dealer;
- surrender their firearm to the police.
If an antique firearms owner chooses to register their piece, they will first need to surrender it to a licensed dealer until the process is completed.
