Bruce in West Oz
Member
From a Sporting Shooters Association of Australia e-mail alert.
Bruce
25/05/03
STATE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES INCREASES TO PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL FIREARMS TRAFFICKING AND MANUFACTURE
The State Government will impose a range of tough new penalties in an
effort to crack down on illegal firearms trafficking by organised
criminals in Queensland, as part of a new national firearms trafficking
agreement.
Police Minister Tony McGrady said today that under new laws currently
before State Parliament, possession of ten or more firearms, where at
least half are military style fully automatic weapons, would now attract
the new penalty of up to 13 years imprisonment.
Mr McGrady said, under the new scheme, if a person illegally possessed
10 lesser weapons the penalty would be a maximum of 10 years
imprisonment.
He said unlawful possession of a single 'category R' weapon, which
included military style automatic weapons and sub machine guns, would
now attract a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment and fines of up
to $22,500.
"Unlicensed possession of flick knives, cross bows and martial arts
style weapons will attract a penalty of up to two years imprisonment and
fines of up to $7500," Mr McGrady said.
Mr McGrady said penalties for illegal firearms manufacture would also be
increased, with penalties for producing military style automatic weapons
and sub-machine guns to attract up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of
up to $37,500.
"Illegal manufacture of semiautomatic rifles (10 round capacity), semi
automatic shotguns (5 round capacity), pump action shot guns (5 round
capacity) and illegal bullet proof vests will now attract a penalty of
seven years imprisonment or a fines of up to $22,500.
"Illegal production of flick knives, cross bows and martial arts style
weapons will attract a penalty of up to four years imprisonment and
fines of up to $15,000."
Mr McGrady said current penalties for possession or manufacture of
illegal weapons ranged up to a maximum of no greater than two years
imprisonment and fines of $7500.
"In Queensland at present there is no specific penalty for bulk
possession of illegal firearms," he said.
"The new laws will significantly increase penalties for these serious
offences. This is about trying to take illegal weapons out of the hands
of criminals and improving the safety of all Queenslanders," Mr McGrady
said.
"Firearms trafficking is one of the most serious forms of organised
crime and I make no apologies for the hard approach we are taking.
These tough new laws are an indication of the commitment of all
Australian Government's to crack down on this activity."
Mr McGrady said there had also been about 1250 unlawful possession of
concealable firearms offences and 5654 unlawful possession of other
firearm offences reported in Queensland during the last five years.
"These new laws send a clear message that all Australian Governments are
united in their efforts to crackdown on firearm related crime.
"This is about ensuring organised criminals do not have access to these
dangerous weapons and I am confident the community will welcome these
moves," he said.
Bruce