Police in Townsville have seized more than 400 firearms this year as part of Operation Whiskey Firestorm, a proactive campaign targeting illegal gun use across Queensland. This includes 64 illegal firearms and dozens of unsecured weapons discovered during audits.
The initiative was launched in response to alarming statistics from 2024, which recorded over 3,290 firearm-related offences across the state, including assaults, unlawful entry, and attempted murder. Authorities say stolen firearms often end up in the hands of criminals, fueling gun violence in the north.
In Townsville District alone, police conducted 420 weapons audits to ensure licensed gun owners were storing their firearms safely. During these checks, officers found unsecured weapons in multiple homes, including incidents in Rasmussen and Aitkenvale that led to charges for contravening licence conditions.
Other recent cases include a Townsville woman charged in July with multiple offences involving firearms and drugs, and the discovery of unsecured, unregistered firearms in Mount Isa, which led to further charges.
Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd emphasized the importance of proper firearm storage:
“Locking your firearms in a proper safe is crucial in helping us reduce gun violence in Townsville. Once a stolen firearm is in the community, there is real potential for it to be used to seriously harm someone or worse.”
Police are urging all Queenslanders to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and assist in reducing firearm-related crime in the community.
