Tasmania could join a select few jurisdictions in enforcing a cap on gun ownership, despite the state's governing Liberals opposing the idea.
State parliament is expected to debate firearm reform in the sitting week beginning September 8, after it was pushed back to give MPs more time to unpack the proposal.
The legislation, put forward by the minority Liberal government as part of national action following the Bondi mass shooting, has been criticised by both sides of the fence.
The proposed laws do not include caps on the number of guns a person can own, which goes against advice from the state's police commissioner.
The legislation also reclassifies straight pull and button or lever release shotguns to the more restrictive Category C and would introduce an Australian citizenship requirement for owners.
However, those requirements have a "grandfather" clause, meaning they would not apply to guns people already own or to non-citizens who currently own legal guns.
Tasmania's Labor opposition and the Greens have labelled the laws weak and are expected to put forward a host of amendments.
Labor is expected to propose capping the number of guns at five for individuals and 10 for primary producers and sports or competitive shooters.
The Greens have said they'll support Labor's slated cap amendments - meaning the votes of four of six crossbench independents are needed for it to pass.
Independent Peter George supports capping guns, saying it is a "must".
"I think we’ve got a good chance of getting caps passed but it is going to be a close call," he said.
Fellow Independent Kristie Johnston supports caps and also has concerns about the grandfathering clause.
"I come from the basis that it is a privilege to own a gun, not a right," she said.
"We do have a duty to community safety in the light of recent events, and with our history here in Tasmania."
The worst mass shooting in Australia's modern history occurred in Tasmania at Port Arthur in 1996, prompting a national ban on automatic and semi-automatic firearms.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Carlo Di Falco said there isn't evidence that imposing a cap will increase community safety.
"It is virtue signalling," he said.
"Once you jump through all the hoops to qualify as a licence owner, that is effectively a certificate of good character. It shouldn’t matter how many firearms you have."
Western Australia, the ACT and NSW have legislated gun caps but such laws are not in place nationwide.
Police Minister Felix Ellis, who has previously said a cap on guns would punish responsible owners, said the government had acted in good faith by delaying the debate.
Any law changes would also need to pass Tasmania's independent-dominated upper house.
