Queensland residents will only be allowed to own a gun if they’re an Australian citizen, under tough new laws being proposed by the State Government.
The Premier has announced a raft of nation leading reforms in a bid to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.
The laws, sparked by the fatal Bondi terror attack which claimed the lives of 15 people, will be introduced to State Parliament this week.
The Bill includes:
- Increased penalties for trafficking firearms or ammunition, increasing the maximum penalty to a nation-leading life imprisonment;
- Strengthened police powers to disrupt illegal firearm trafficking;
- A new offence prohibiting the reckless discharge of a weapon towards a building or vehicle to crackdown on the rise in drive-by shootings, including those targeting places of worship, and;
- Expanded powers for police to consider a broader range of matters when determining weapons licence eligibility, including any history of violence, threatened violence or weapons-related offending;
- New requirements for Queensland weapons licence holders to be Australian citizens subject to limited exceptions;
- A new offence prohibiting the possession and distribution of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms.
Premier David Crisafulli said the new legislation was about “drawing a clear line and making Queensland safer”.
“We said we would go after criminals and terrorists, and through this strong reform, we are delivering exactly what we promised,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“These laws are tough, targeted, and focused on criminals and terrorists as we work to make Queensland safer.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the reforms would deliver nation-leading penalties for the misuse of firearms, while equipping police with modern tools to combat organised crime and extremism.
“This Bill is about making Queensland safer by ensuring criminals and terrorists with guns face the toughest consequences possible,” Minister Purdie said.
“We are giving police stronger powers to stop illegal firearms from entering our communities and strengthening the laws that determine who is fit and proper to hold a weapons licence.
“These reforms also target the alarming rise in drive-by shootings, including those targeting places of worship, and crackdown on emerging threats like 3D-printed firearms.
“These laws are squarely aimed at terrorists, criminals and organised crime syndicates, not law-abiding Queenslanders, as we continue to make Queensland safer.”
