Queensland Gun Theft Rises as LNP Cedes Control to Firearms Lobby
Updated
Updated · thepoint.com.au · Jun 21
Queensland Gun Theft Rises as LNP Cedes Control to Firearms Lobby
2 articles · Updated · thepoint.com.au · Jun 21
Summary
Newly released Queensland police data shows gun theft has increased while firearm licence removals in domestic violence cases have fallen under David Crisafulli’s Liberal National Party government.
The figures point to a broader loosening of gun oversight, with the government described as having effectively ceded control of firearms policy to the gun lobby.
Queensland now has more guns than any other Australian jurisdiction, extending the immediate impact beyond theft and domestic violence enforcement to the state’s overall weapons stock.
As Queensland's gun numbers swell, why are fewer firearms being taken from domestic violence offenders?
With gun theft rising, is Queensland's new law a better solution than a national gun buyback?
Queensland’s 2026 Gun Law Reforms: State-Federal Rift, Lobby Influence, and the Future of Australian Firearm Policy
Overview
In early 2026, Queensland introduced major gun law reforms after a lengthy cabinet meeting, with the legislation debated and passed in March. These reforms mark a distinct approach, as Queensland chose to target 'terrorists and crooks' rather than adopt broader measures. Notably, the state refused to join the federal government's national gun buyback scheme, a decision made after the Bondi attack and firmly upheld by Premier Crisafulli. This stance sets Queensland apart from other states, highlighting a fragmented national response to gun control and sparking debate over the best way to ensure public safety.