Tasmania’s debate over firearm laws has intensified after proposed limits on the number of guns that individuals can own were rejected in the state’s House of Assembly.

Labor has vowed to continue pursuing firearm ownership caps after amendments to the Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill failed during a vote on Thursday night. The proposed limits would have restricted hunters to five firearms and primary producers to 10.

The amendments were defeated with support from the government and four independent crossbench members. Labor leader Josh Willie criticised the result, describing it as a missed opportunity to introduce stronger controls.

The debate is particularly significant in Tasmania because of the state’s history of serious firearm-related incidents. Supporters of tighter restrictions argue that limiting the number of firearms held by individuals could improve public safety and reduce the potential risks associated with large private firearm collections.

Labor has also criticised the Tasmanian Government for refusing to participate in a federally supported national gun buyback program. The party says Tasmania should have some of the strongest firearm laws in Australia.

However, the proposed caps have faced opposition from firearm owners and groups representing recreational shooters and primary producers. Critics argue that numerical limits could unfairly affect law-abiding people who require firearms for legitimate activities such as farming, hunting and property management.

Despite the defeat of the proposed caps, other parts of the firearms legislation have received support. The broader bill includes measures relating to stronger fit-and-proper-person requirements and additional restrictions connected with family violence.

The legislation will now progress to Tasmania’s Legislative Council. Labor has indicated it intends to pursue its firearm ownership limits again during the upper-house debate.

The outcome could become an important issue in Tasmania’s continuing discussion about firearm regulation, public safety and the rights of licensed gun owners.

For Hobart, the issue is particularly relevant because major changes to Tasmania’s firearms laws are ultimately debated and decided through the state Parliament. Further negotiations and debate are expected as the legislation moves through the next stage.

At this point, the proposed ownership caps have not become law. The next stage in the Legislative Council will determine whether the amendments can be reconsidered or whether the bill proceeds without the proposed limits.