The Australian Deer Association (ADA) welcomes today’s release of the Victorian Government’s response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, describing the outcome as an important recognition of the difference between lawful firearm ownership and criminal firearm misuse.
Following months of consultation, public submissions and stakeholder engagement, the Victorian Government has accepted 15 of the review’s 16 recommendations — while importantly rejecting the proposed cap on Category A and B firearm ownership (Victorian Government Response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Recommendation 1 – “Do not accept”).
This outcome closely reflects the position advanced by the ADA in its submission to the review, which stated:
“ADA does not support arbitrary numerical caps on firearms.” (ADA Submission to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Executive Summary)
The ADA submission further noted:
“There is no evidence that the number of firearms lawfully held by licensed recreational hunters is correlated with violent crime or public safety risk.”
(ADA Submission to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Executive Summary)
For Victoria’s hunting, farming and sporting communities, the rejection of firearm ownership caps represents one of the most significant outcomes of the review process.
Throughout the review, the ADA strongly advocated that arbitrary limits on lawful firearm ownership would do little to improve community safety while unfairly impacting responsible firearm owners across regional Victoria.
The Government’s response reflects that position clearly, stating:
“The Victorian Government will not be introducing a cap on firearms ownership.”
(Victorian Government Response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, May 2026)
The Association also welcomes confirmation that Victoria will not introduce any immediate changes to firearm classifications as part of the reforms:
“Victoria will not be making any immediate changes to firearm classifications in these reforms.”
(Victorian Government Response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Immediate Legislative Reforms – Enhanced firearm reclassification powers)
This provides important certainty for licensed firearm owners, hunters and sporting shooters who participated constructively throughout the review process.
The ADA submission strongly supported evidence-based firearms regulation, stating:
“ADA submits that reforms arising from the Review should be guided by the following principles:
Risk-based regulation: Regulation should focus on demonstrable risks to public safety, rather than lawful ownership or participation alone.”
(ADA Submission to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Overarching Principles)
Importantly, the Government has explicitly recognised the legitimate role of:
“primary producers, professional and recreational hunters, and sports shooters”
(Victorian Government Response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, page 3)
The Association believes this acknowledgement matters enormously.
Victoria’s hunting community contributes significantly to conservation, pest animal management, regional economies and public land stewardship. Hunters are also among the most highly regulated and compliant members of the community, with strict licensing, storage and safety obligations already applying to lawful firearm ownership.
The ADA’s submission also reinforced the importance of constructive engagement with government, noting:
“ADA’s experience engaging constructively with government … demonstrates that good-faith consultation and evidence-based policy development can deliver balanced outcomes that enhance public safety while recognising legitimate firearm use.”
(ADA Submission to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Executive Summary)
The Government’s response makes clear that the reforms are intended to focus on criminal misuse of firearms, including illicit trafficking, organised crime, prohibited persons and emerging threats such as 3D-printed firearms.
The ADA supports strong action against illegal firearms and criminal misuse.
Premier Jacinta Allan’s comments accompanying the announcement reinforced this approach, stating:
“We need to focus on the wrong people getting their hands on a single gun.”
(Media Release: Even Harder For A Gun To Fall Into The Wrong Hands, 25 May 2026)
The Association also notes the Premier’s recognition that:
“The majority of firearms owners do the right thing – we’re weeding out the dangerous people that don’t.”
(Media Release: Even Harder For A Gun To Fall Into The Wrong Hands, 25 May 2026)
The Association thanks Premier Allan, Minister for Police Anthony Carbines, former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay AO APM, and the review panel for engaging with stakeholders throughout the process.
More than 19,000 survey responses and over 500 written submissions were received during the review, alongside extensive consultation sessions with community stakeholders (Victorian Government Response to the Rapid Review of Victoria’s Firearm Laws, Introduction and Background).
The ADA is proud to have participated in that process through detailed submissions advocating for practical, evidence-based firearm policy that protects both public safety and the rights of lawful firearm owners.
The Association believes today’s outcome demonstrates that Victoria can maintain strong firearm laws while also recognising the legitimate needs of responsible hunters, farmers and sporting shooters.
The ADA will continue to work constructively with Government, Victoria Police and industry stakeholders as further reforms are developed and implemented.
Lawful firearm owners across Victoria should take confidence from today’s announcement. The voices of responsible hunters and sporting shooters were heard — and the final outcome reflects a more balanced and practical path forward for Victoria’s firearms framework.
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