Queensland police not monitoring firearm licences properly: Report

The number of guns registered in Queensland has increased by 17 per cent since 2015, while the net number of stolen firearms has increased by 7 per cent over the same period.

More than 3200 registered firearms were reported stolen in the past five years, 633 were lost, and 780 lost or stolen guns were recovered. QPS was also “not consistent” in how quickly it seized guns from unsuitable people, meaning some firearms went missing.

The report also found more than 78 per cent of licences issued between 2015-2019 had never been inspected by QPS.

“[QPS] has also streamlined its licence application process and uses technology to help assess applications and permits,” the report said.

“However, it does not have the right balance between affording…