We have serious concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Firearms Licences Regulations, particularly the significant administrative burden they will impose on businesses in the firearms sector. The additional red tape, coupled with the risk of a perceived “backdoor registry,” does little to enhance public safety while further eroding trust in the government’s approach to firearm policy.

Confidentiality for businesses importing firearms is of utmost importance. Without strong safeguards, these regulations risk exposing sensitive business information to competitors, creating an unfair disadvantage in the marketplace. The government must ensure that any data collection or reporting requirements do not inadvertently compromise business interests and is not publicly exposed.

Additionally, we have seen with previous regulatory changes that they often fail to reflect real-world business operations and lack the necessary clarity to ensure smooth compliance. Vagueness in definitions and processes create confusion, increase compliance costs, and expose businesses to undue risk. We strongly urge the government to provide precise definitions and well-defined processes to prevent misinterpretation and operational uncertainty.

One critical area of concern is the handling of firearms classifications within the Firearms Reference Table (FRT). Businesses need a clear and transparent process to challenge FRT classifications if they disagree with how a firearm is categorized. Furthermore, explicit guidance is needed on how businesses must proceed with these new regulations. Without this clarity, businesses will struggle to make informed decisions, potentially stalling product development and market entry.

We urge the government to reconsider the approach to these regulatory changes and engage meaningfully with industry stakeholders to ensure that any new requirements are practical, transparent, and do not place undue strain on lawful businesses.