Illegal Firearms in the crosshairs

Queensland will join a nationwide campaign to better protect families and communities from illegal weapons as part of ongoing efforts to keep downward pressure on crime. 

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the two week campaign would see the Queensland Government, Queensland Police Service and Crime Stoppers join every other state and territory to get illegal guns off the streets. 

“The Government has a strong plan for a brighter and safer future for every family and community across Queensland,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Within our first term we have introduced minimum mandatory sentences for the possession and trafficking of illegal weapons. 

“These improved laws will allow police to use intelligence gathered through Operation Unification to remove illegal weapons and their suppliers from Queensland streets. 

“Labor voted against our tougher laws and oversaw a system which instead of handing out serious penalties to serious offenders simply handed out slaps on the wrist. 

“The Queensland Government has delivered new laws to target illegal firearms, as well as delivering $2 million in additional funding to Crime Stoppers over four years which will support safer streets.

“We are committed to Queensland being the safest place to live and raise a family and we’re encouraging everyone to help us by being part of Operation Unification.” 

Commissioner Ian Stewart said that this type of operation highlights the important partnership between police, the government and Crime Stoppers to tackle the issue of illicit firearms. 

“Your information is vital – call anonymously through Crime Stoppers and get illicit firearms off Queensland’s streets,” Commissioner Stewart said. 

“The intelligence gathered from the people calling Crime Stoppers can be used by police to assist in tackling the problem of illicit firearms and associated criminal activity. 

“It will help to build better, more sophisticated and connected firearm-related intelligence and will help ensure police can investigate, detect and disrupt serious firearm offences and combat crimes.”

Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Trevor O’Hara said that Queensland united last year to provide an unprecedented level of information.

“Illegal firearms can end up in the wrong hands and Queenslanders have previously demonstrated their willingness to share anonymous information with our community program in order to help protect our way of life,” Trevor O’Hara said.

“During the last campaign firearm reports increased by seven times the historical daily average, showing Queenslanders are prepared to unite for a safer community.” 

[ENDS] 16 June 2014                                    

Media Contact: Andrew Kos 0408 912 821 orCallum Stewart 0403 925 703