New Queensland Police data shows firearm thefts have dropped by nearly 18% this year — and Townsville is playing its part.
Thanks to proactive policing under Operation Whiskey Firestorm, just 252 firearms have been stolen across Queensland so far in 2025 — a sharp drop from 306 in the same period last year.
Here in Townsville, police have charged 16 people with unlawful possession of a firearm this year – down from 24 charges in the first half of 2024.
Queensland Police say most firearm thefts involved weapons that weren’t stored properly. In some cases, unsecured guns were found stashed in cupboards, under beds, or in unlocked safes, making it easy for criminals to get their hands on them.
In just six months, Queensland Police have conducted more than 4,160 audits of licensed firearm owners. While most passed with flying colors, around 110 failed to meet legal storage standards – that’s more than 100 opportunities for weapons to fall into the wrong hands.
Under Queensland law, licensed firearm owners must:
- Store firearms in a locked, approved safe or cabinet
- Store ammunition separately from the firearm
- Not share safe combinations or leave weapons accessible
