The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has welcomed the passage of new firearm prohibition laws in the ACT, acknowledging the work of Minister Marisa Paterson and Attorney-General Tara Cheyne in delivering this important reform to strengthen community safety.
The Firearms (Firearm Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill 2026 establishes a framework for the ACT Magistrates Court to impose Firearm Prohibition Orders on individuals who pose a serious risk to public safety, providing ACT Policing with additional powers to restrict access to firearms.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the reform was an important step towards preventing firearm-related violence and disrupting organised criminal activity.
“The AFPA acknowledges and thanks Minister Paterson and Attorney-General Tara Cheyne for their work in progressing this important reform.
“Giving police additional tools to address the risks posed by individuals who should not have access to firearms, or their parts, is an important step towards protecting the ACT community,” Mr Caruana said.
The new laws establish an additional mechanism for addressing the risks posed by individuals who should not have access to firearms, with appropriate safeguards and judicial oversight forming an important part of the framework.
Mr Caruana said our members are on the frontline, dealing with the consequences of serious criminal activity every day.
“Giving police effective tools to prevent harm, rather than simply responding after an incident has occurred, is in the interests of the entire community.
“Police need the right legislative powers to do their jobs safely and effectively, particularly when confronting organised crime and serious threats involving firearms,” Mr Caruana said.
The implementation of the new framework will be important to ensuring ACT Policing has the training, resources and operational support required to exercise the new powers effectively.
Mr Caruana said that while legislation is important, it is only part of the equation.
“ACT Policing must have the resources, training and operational support needed to implement these new powers effectively.
“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the ACT Government and ACT Policing to ensure the new laws deliver meaningful outcomes for frontline police and the broader community,” Mr Caruana said.
