More than 2000 guns stolen each year in Australia, new research shows
A gun is stolen every four hours in Australia, with a lead investigator claiming “thousands” of guns are finding their way directly into the hands of criminals, according to a new report.
The Australia Institute’s report, which compiles police data from all eight states and territories, follows previous research which found Australia is home to four million more guns than before the Port Arthur massacre, the country’s deadliest mass murder.
At least 44,631 firearms have been stolen in the last 21 years. Researchers say this is a conservative estimate because the figure does not account for gaps in reporting and only includes firearms reported to law enforcement.
“Every year, thousands of guns fall into the hands of criminals, putting Australians in danger,” said Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell.
“There are a record number of guns in Australia and this research shows how easily they can fall into the hands of criminals.
Earlier this month, the growing number of homemade and 3D printed weapons were described by police as “worrying” after authorities laid more than 800 charges against the growing firearms trade across the country.
But Mr Campbell said such weapons did not make up the bulk of illegal firearms in Australia.
“The main source of illegal guns in Australia is legal gun theft, not 3D printing or illegal imports.
“It’s pretty simple; the more legal guns there are in Australia, the more illegal guns there will be.”
Mr Campbell warned all states and territories should follow Western Australia’s lead in limiting the number of guns per person to avoid “going the way of America”.
Mr Campbell said overall the country’s approach to the gun control issue had stagnated since the John Howard-era reforms of 1996.
These reforms included the goal of a National Firearms Registry expected to be delivered in 2028.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement: “Agreement was reached in 1996 to create a National Firearms Register. We are now delivering on this.”
But Mr Campbell said both state and federal governments had become “on board” since the 1990s and had a “clear path forward to take action”.
“This research shows that gun control and keeping our communities safe requires sustained efforts from all levels of government.”
In a statement, an ACT Police spokesman said stolen firearms were often a concern for officers in the field as they could “complicate” the investigation of serious crimes such as aggravated burglary, assault, threats of violence and murder.
“Preventing unregistered or illegal firearms from falling into the wrong hands helps us keep our communities safe.
“By removing these guns from society, we can prevent them from being used in criminal activities.”
