I have always felt a deep connection with the outdoors, finding solace in Australia's beautiful landscapes, and bonding with the environment through the use of firearms. It is a part of my identity, a passion born out of respect and love for the land I call home. That is why I feel compelled to call for a reclassification of pump action shotguns to Category A licences in Tasmania.

As an enthusiast, I fully understand the crucial balance between firearm passions and public safety. Yet, pump action shotguns are currently classified under Category C & D, which includes semi-automatic and automatic firearms. This categorisation, which is more restrictive, suggests that pump action shotguns are as dangerous as semi-automatic firearms, which is simply not the case. In fact, pump action shotguns are manually operated and cannot be fired repeatedly without reloading, unlike semi-automatic firearms.

By moving pump action shotguns to Category A, it will ease the access for enthusiasts like myself, who are law-abiding firearm owners, without compromising public safety. This move has been supported by several firearm experts and responsible shooting organisations within the country, such as the Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA).

To conclude, this reclassification not only recognises the fundamental differences between pump-action and semi-automatic firearms but also allows enthusiasts to enjoy their passion responsibly without unnecessary restrictions. It's time for authorities to consider this crucial change. Therefore, I urge you to sign our petition and encourage a fair reclassification of pump action shotguns to Category A.