The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has announced a new Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) scheme aimed at strengthening the regulation of firearms licences. This legislation will allow police to search the properties of individuals classified as 'high-risk' without requiring a search warrant, although they must first obtain approval from a magistrate. This represents a significant step in aligning ACT laws with other states and territories in Australia, which also have similar provisions in place for monitoring and regulating firearms licenses.

However, the introduction of the FPO scheme has sparked controversy concerning potential human rights violations, particularly the right to privacy. Tom Taylor, a criminal lawyer based in Canberra, expressed concerns that these measures, while intended to enhance public safety, could overreach into individuals' private lives. Critics argue that such laws must be implemented with careful consideration of personal freedoms and civil rights to avoid unjustly infringing upon them.

ACT Police Minister Marisa Paterson emphasized that the proposed scheme includes important safeguards and accountability measures that distinguish it from similar laws in other jurisdictions. This distinction is aimed at ensuring compliance with human rights standards, suggesting the government is aware of and responding to the potential criticism. The implementation of these laws will likely be closely monitored to assess both their effectiveness in enhancing public safety and their impact on civil liberties.