Nation-leading penalties targeting criminals and terrorists with guns

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a clear and strong response to target criminals and terrorists with guns to make Queensland safer. 
• Nation-leading penalties for stealing firearms and ammunition, 3D-printed weapons, and new offences to crack down on drive-by shootings.
• The legislation follows strong and decisive measures announced to combat antisemitism and crack down on terrorist-motivated chants and symbols. 
• The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and delivering a clear and strong response to the Bondi beach terrorist attack.  

The Crisafulli Government is delivering nation-leading penalties to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists, in the next steps of its reforms to make Queensland safer.  

The tough laws – to be introduced to Parliament this week – deliver a suite of strengthened powers targeting terrorists and criminals, including nation-leading penalties for illegal firearms, drive-by shootings at places of worship, emerging threats such as 3D-printed weapons, and are the next step in the Crisafulli Government’s calm and methodical response to the Bondi Beach terror attack. 

The Bill includes: 

• Increased penalties for trafficking firearms or ammunition, increasing the maximum penalty to a nation-leading life imprisonment; 
• Strengthened police powers to disrupt illegal firearm trafficking;
• A new offence prohibiting the reckless discharge of a weapon towards a building or vehicle to crackdown on the rise in drive-by shootings, including those targeting places of worship, and;
• Expanded powers for police to consider a broader range of matters when determining weapons licence eligibility, including any history of violence, threatened violence or weapons-related offending; 
• New requirements for Queensland weapons licence holders to be Australian citizens subject to limited exceptions; 
• A new offence prohibiting the possession and distribution of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms.

This legislation follows the Crisafulli Government’s announced reforms to crackdown on intimidation at places of worship, tougher measures to curb terrorist symbols and chants, to ensure all Queenslanders can live, worship and gather safely.  

Premier David Crisafulli said the new legislation was about drawing a clear line and making Queensland safer.  

“We said we would go after criminals and terrorists, and through this strong reform, we are delivering exactly what we promised,” Premier Crisafulli said.  

“These laws are tough, targeted, and focused on criminals and terrorists as we work to make Queensland safer.”  

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the reforms would deliver nation-leading penalties for the misuse of firearms, while equipping police with modern tools to combat organised crime and extremism. 

“This Bill is about making Queensland safer by ensuring criminals and terrorists with guns face the toughest consequences possible,” Minister Purdie said. 

“We are giving police stronger powers to stop illegal firearms from entering our communities and strengthening the laws that determine who is fit and proper to hold a weapons licence. 

“These reforms also target the alarming rise in drive-by shootings, including those targeting places of worship, and crackdown on emerging threats like 3D-printed firearms. 

“These laws are squarely aimed at terrorists, criminals and organised crime syndicates, not law-abiding Queenslanders, as we continue to make Queensland safer.” 

ENDS  

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Premier Crisafulli – Jordan Fabris, 0418 198 814 

Minister Purdie - Samantha Scott, 0499 984 004