State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to reject proposed firearm ownership caps following an independent review of Victoria’s firearms laws.
The rapid review was launched by the state government following the tragic Bondi attack. While one of the perpetrators was a licensed firearm owner (with the younger perpetrator being unlicensed), the incident prompted a broad examination of Victoria’s firearms framework.
Led by former Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay AO APM, the review received more than 500 submissions and included 40 face-to-face consultations across Victoria, including a local forum hosted by Mr Bull in East Gippsland.
Mr Bull said the final outcome demonstrated that genuine community consultation can make a tangible difference to policy decisions.
“In that forum, it was made clear that gun caps were not something that was palatable or workable,” Mr Bull said.
“Some sporting shooters require up to eight firearms to compete in a single discipline, while those involved in vermin control need access to a range of calibre-specific firearms to do their jobs effectively. Having the choice of the right firearm for the task supports better safety outcomes.
“It was also highlighted that firearm limits could unintentionally restrict opportunities for young people involved in shooting sports.”
Mr Bull explained that because firearms used by those under the age of 18 must be registered under a parent’s licence, the proposed caps could have forced regional families into a difficult corner.
“Caps could have forced families to choose between supporting a child’s participation in organised shooting sports or retaining firearms required for farming, recreation, or preserving family heirlooms,” he said.
“I’m proud of what our East Gippsland forum contributed. We had farmers, elite sporting shooters, parents, hunters, and business operators all providing practical, real-world insight.
“Reducing the number of legally owned firearms would not stop criminals obtaining illegal weapons, nor would it have prevented tragedies such as the Bondi attack.”
Mr Bull noted that other recommendations from the review included measures to modernise classifications, strengthen eligibility requirements, and improve oversight and intelligence sharing between agencies.
“This process shows you can strengthen laws and improve community safety while still listening to responsible licence holders who do the right thing every day,” Mr Bull said.
“I thank everyone from East Gippsland who took the time to participate in the consultation process and ensure regional voices were heard.”
