February 26, 2018
Queensland police have seized 869 illegal firearms since launching a statewide blitz on February 1.
Police Minister Mark Ryan and Commissioner Ian Stewart announced the results of Operation Quebec Camouflage at the Central Exhibits Facility in Brisbane on Monday.
Mr Ryan said police were harnessing the resources of regional and specialist police, Federal law enforcement and members of the firearm community as part of the blitz.
“This operation has already seen significant results thanks to the efforts of the police and public – and it is not even over yet,” he said.
“A large number of the 869 firearms recovered were found during proactive firearm audits conducted by police and as a result of information provided from our communities via Crime Stoppers.
“The public has been very supportive, with 101 (as at February 25) incidents of people contacting police with firearms to hand in, resulting in the surrender of 227 firearms.
“This could simply be a case of someone finding a firearm that had been sitting in a garden shed following the passing of a relative or a firearm located when a property has been purchased.
“Although gun theft is at its lowest in Queensland in four years, Operation Quebec Camouflage shows police are not resting on their laurels.
“I encourage anyone with information about the illegal possession of firearms to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.”
Commissioner Stewart said although Queensland has a very healthy firearm community, there was still a large proportion of firearms stolen from regional communities where insufficient firearm security was at least a contributing factor.
“This campaign is not about singling out anyone. It is about reaffirming with firearm holders the importance of ensuring their firearms are secured and stored correctly,” he said.
Results from Operation Quebec Camouflage as at February 25:
- 869 firearms recovered
- 101 incidents of people contacting police about firearms to hand in, resulting in the surrender of 227 firearms
- 110 search warrants executed, resulting in the location of 119 weapons
