Proposed Gun Laws (Qld)
The Queensland government is currently considering legislation that would change the state’s gun laws, by introducing new offences, increasing penalties for some existing offences, and restricting ownership of guns to Australian citizens. This page outlines the proposed changes.
Legislation
The Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Act 2026 would make changes to the Criminal Code 1900, the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, and the Weapons Act 1990.
Reasons for the changes
The changes are being proposed in an effort to address the misuse of firearms in Queensland, including in extremism.
The proposal follows the death of two police officers in a shooting in Wieambilla in 2022.
Many other jurisdictions are also currently considering law reforms aimed at improving community safety and reducing the number of guns in circulation after a mass shooting terrorist attack in Bondi in 2025.
Citizenship requirement
One of the proposed changes is to limit the issue of firearms licenses to Australian citizens by adding citizenship to the list of requirements a person must fulfil under section 10 of the Weapons Act, in order to be issued a license.
Other requirements under section 10 include that the person must be over the age of 11 (or over 18 for an adult licence), must have adequate knowledge of safety practices, and must be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
New offences
The proposed legislation would introduce a number of new criminal offences into the Criminal Code 1900 and the Weapons Act.
Blueprint material
The proposed legislation would introduce section 67A into the Weapons Act 1990.
Under the section, it is an offence to possess or distribute blueprint material for the manufacture of a firearm on a 3D printer or an electronic milling machine.The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
Reckless discharge of a weapon
The bill would also introduce section 56A. under the section, it is an offence for a person to discharge a weapon towards a place or vehicle.
The maximum penalty for this offence depends on the circumstances.
For an offence that is a prescribed defence, the maximum penalty is fine of 1000 penalty units or imprisonment for 20 years. For any other offence, the maximum penalty is a fine of 800 penalty units or imprisonment for 16 years.
A prescribed offence includes an offence committed by a person who is part of a criminal organisation, and offence committed against a place of worship, or an offence motivated by hatred for a person or a group based on an attribute such as race.
Tougher penalties
The legislation proposes to increase penalties in relation to certain weapons offences. Some of these are outlined below.
Trafficking
The bill proposes to amend section 65 of the weapons act, which contains the offence of unlawful trafficking in weapons, so that the maximum penalty that applies is life imprisonment.
This change represents a significant increase from the current maximum penalty of 20 years.
Unlawful possession
The bill proposes to amend section 50 of the weapons act, which contains various offences relating to the unlawful possession of weapons, increasing the maximum penalty for each of these offences.
Modifying and construction
The bill proposes to amend section 62 of the weapons act, which contains the offence of modifying or constructing weapons, so that the maximum penalty that applies to a fine of 750 penalty units or imprisonment for 15 years.
Other reforms
The bill also includes other proposed reforms such as the introduction of offences relating to the display of hate symbols and other offences involving hate. These changes, if passed, will amend the Criminal Code 1900.
The legislation has yet to pass the Queensland Parliament.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.
Fernanda Dahlstrom is a writer, editor and lawyer. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Latrobe University), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law), a Bachelor of Arts (The University of Melbourne) and a Master of Arts (Deakin University). Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal law, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory, and in family law in Queensland.