The Queensland Parliament last night passed legislation to impose tough new mandatory penalties for illegal firearm use.
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Bill made it clear people using firearms illegally would feel the full force of the law.
“The days of a ‘slap on the wrist’ approach to illegal firearms usage are over with the introduction of tough minimum mandatory sentencing,” he said.
“These changes protect innocent Queenslanders and send a clear message that trafficking, supply, unlawful possession and use of illegal firearms will not be tolerated.
The changes include:
- An offender convicted of trafficking illegal firearms will serve a mandatory minimum term of five years in custody
- An offender convicted of supplying illegal firearms will serve a mandatory minimum term of three years in custody
- An offender convicted of possessing an illegal firearm that is used in the commission of an indictable offence will serve a mandatory minimum term of 18 months in custody
- An offender who unlawfully possesses an illegal firearm for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of an indictable offence will serve a mandatory minimum term of one year in custody
- An offender convicted of possessing an illegal firearm in a public place will serve a mandatory minimum term of one year in custody.
Mr Dempsey said the new laws would also include a three-month amnesty which would allow firearms users to register or surrender unregistered weapons without the fear of penalty.
“Amnesty periods in Queensland have previously been quite successful with a number of weapons surrendered,” he said.
“The amnesty period will allow those who are trying to comply with the law the opportunity to do so without the fear of being charged.”
The tough penalties and amnesty period will come into effect on February 1, 2013.
