The sale of firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes will be temporarily banned, following deliberations by the National Cabinet.
The new measures are designed to protect licensed firearm owners and dealers as well as the broader community.
The State Government said it understood licensed firearm owners and dealers exercised a high degree of care when complying with their obligations, however, there had been an increase in firearms permits to acquire applications and additional ammunition in recent times, increasing the risk that firearms and ammunition may not be stored safely.
To prevent potential stockpiling, and the risk that firearms and ammunition could fall into criminal hands or dealers could be targeted by organised crime, licensed dealers will now be prohibited from selling firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.
Those with a need to access firearms and ammunition for essential services, like farmers and rural landholders, professional vermin control and armed guards will still be able to access them for these purposes.
It comes as Victoria Police has undertaken 1,225 spot checks in the past 24 hours at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state as part of Operation Sentinel.
