Statistics revealed during Police and Emergency Services Budget Estimates Committee scrutiny highlight the need for tougher gun storage provisions, said Greens Leader and Police and Emergency Services spokesperson Kim Booth MP.
“We know many law-abiding gun owners do store their weapons in a manner which complies with the Firearms Act 1996, but clearly those provisions are inadequate given the high rate of firearm theft, and the difficulty in recovering all those stolen firearms,” Mr Booth said.
“Under Greens’ questioning we learned that this year saw 238 guns stolen, of which only 35 were recovered. That is 85.29% of the total amount stolen left unrecovered.”
“In 2013, 73.47% of the 245 stolen guns were not recovered, with only 65 found.”
“In 2012, 19 of 189 stolen firearms were recovered, leaving 89.95% of the stolen weapons still in circulation.”
“In 2011, of the 250 stolen weapons, only 71 were recovered leaving 71.6% still in circulation.”
“Of these figures, we still do not have the breakdown of the number of handguns stolen, and still in circulation. This question was taken on notice by the Minister.”
“The Minister must ensure that his flagged amendments to the Firearms Act include stronger gun storage provisions to address serious gun theft problems,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
