Gun laws are expected to get an update with new legislation being drafted.
Police minister Tony Piccolo said the SA Firearms Act was developed in 1977 and in need of an update.
"The old act has become outdated, hard to interpret and administer," he said.
With that in mind, Mr Piccolo spent the past nine months working with stakeholders, including representatives from shooting clubs, Primary Producers SA and victims of crime.
He said the draft bill, when finalised, would simplify rules to prevent firearm crime and reduce red tape for "lawful firearm owners".
"The new act will be underpinned by the principle that firearm possession and use is a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety," Mr Piccolo said.
"Responsible gun owners have nothing to fear from this proposed bill, it will make it easier for them to comply with the law if they do the right thing."
Mr Piccolo said key changes would see laws tightened up surrounding the permits to prevent anyone with a drug conviction from accessing a firearm and set- up a permanent amnesty to encourage people with unregistered guns to hand them in.
"(This will) ensure that only those with a genuine reason have access to a firearm," he said.
"The new bill, with supporting regulations, will also strengthen the laws regarding security and storage of firearms and ammunition."
The bill is in the final stages of being drafted and will have one more roundtable with stakeholders before it is introduced to parliament - expected to be after the winter break.
Sharp Shooters Association of Australia SA president David Handyside said the consultation had been "open and fair", with negotiations ongoing as the final wording was being worked out.
He described the original act as a "dogs breakfast" and said the primary goal was to make the law easier for SA Police, firearm owners and courts to interpret.