RURAL properties in the Logan district are targeted by criminals looking to source weapons for the illegal firearms market, say police.
The statistic has prompted Crime Stoppers Queensland to launch a campaign asking Logan residents to “say something before it’s too late”.
“Criminals are increasingly targeting unregistered firearms to source weapons which are subsequently used in a range of serious offensives,” a statement from Crime Stoppers said.
“The Crime Stoppers campaign provides an avenue for the community to partner with police in combatting the illicit firearms market by providing information to Crime Stoppers,” detective senior sergeant of the police firearms and cannabis team Tony Parsons said.
“This information from the public enables investigators to take action and remove these firearms from those in the community who should not have them and are unlawfully in possession of them.
“Rural areas tend to have a greater rate of gun ownership compared with urban areas due to the nature of occupations and lifestyles of those community members.”
The illicit firearms campaign is the second phase of a statewide blitz that saw more than 2300 firearms surrendered to police in the past six months including 62 firearms of interest.
Crime Stoppers Queensland regional manager Renae Long said while Australia had some of the toughest gun controls in the world, illicit firearms were an increasingly desirable commodity facilitating criminal activity and putting the community in danger.
“Phase 1 of our campaign in 2021 was to encourage those with unregistered or unwanted firearms to surrender without penalty. Now in Phase 2, we want residents in the Logan region to share what they know when it comes to illicit firearms in their community,” he said.
“Protecting our loved ones and making our communities safer is everyone’s responsibility. We all have an important role to play in illicit firearms do not get into the hands of criminals. If you know someone who has an unregistered or illegal firearm, you can tell Crime Stoppers Queensland without having to say who you are or get involved.
“Now is the time to reduce firearm violence on our streets and in our homes. Queenslanders can feel safe in knowing that when reporting illicit firearms in your community to Crime Stoppers, you will remain anonymous.”
Australia has an estimated 250,000 long arm and 10,000 handguns that are either unregistered or unable to be registered, as well as prohibited accessories such as silencers and ammunition.
Crime Stoppers Queensland has strengthened its fight against gun crime by working with local police and Queensland communities, to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.
Crime Stoppers has partnered with the Australian Government to roll out a permanent national firearms amnesty, cracking down on the estimated 260,000 firearms in the domestic illicit market.
