E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House The current weapons classification framework under the Weapons Act 1990 (Qld) does not consistently reflect contemporary risk evidence or legitimate civilian use of certain firearms and accessories. Semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifles and pump-action shotguns are commonly used for lawful pest management and primary production and are rarely used in serious criminal offending. Suppressors are safety accessories that reduce noise exposure, hearing damage, and environmental disturbance, yet are classified as prohibited weapons. Paintball markers are low-energy recreational devices and should not be subject to firearms licensing. The petitioners submit that a proportionate, evidence-based review of these classifications is warranted.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:

• Remove paintball markers from firearms licensing requirements and remove them from the definition of a firearm under Queensland legislation.
• Reclassify suppressors from Category R so that they are classified according to the category of the firearm to which they are lawfully fitted:

▪︎ Suppressors designed for Category A firearms to be classified as Category A.
▪︎ Suppressors designed for Category B firearms to be classified as Category B.

• Reclassify semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity of less than 10 rounds to Category B.
• Reclassify pump-action shotguns with a magazine capacity of less than 5 rounds to Category B.