Documents released through Tasmania's right to information system reveal that police asked some firearm license holders to confirm or deny alignment with sovereign citizen ideology. Following these inquiries, police visited certain license holders, resulting in a "small number" of temporary licence suspensions.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo criticized the strategy, highlighting the increased risk to officers visiting properties of suspected sovereign citizens who may anticipate police action to confiscate firearms. This concern prompted an internal review of the approach.

The head of Tasmania's police association cautioned against alerting individuals in advance of police visits, stating, "you don't want to be giving them the heads-up [that] you're attending their address" (ABC News: Morgan Timms).

The assistant commissioner's intervention was supported by both the police association and the Australian Lawyers' Alliance, the latter warning of potential "authoritarian" overreach if groups sharing ideologies are targeted.

Sovereign citizen ideology encompasses a broad range of beliefs. A 2023 briefing by the Australian Federal Police described adherents as traditionally dissociating from society and refusing to comply with societal requirements such as paying tax. However, the movement is generally claimed to be non-violent.

Under the Firearms Act 1996, Tasmania Police stated that anyone holding a firearms licence must demonstrate they are a "fit and proper" person, capable of safely and responsibly controlling a firearm, and not posing a risk to themselves or others.

Sources