Firearms theft in Australia : a six-month exploratory analysis

• Jenny Mouzos and Yuka Sakurai
• Technical and background paper series, no. 20
• ISBN 0 642 53885 9 ; ISSN 1445-7261
• Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006 (online only)

• Download full report (PDF 830kB)

Abstract

In 1996, the Australasian Police Ministers' Council resolved that the Australian Institute of Criminology should establish the National Firearms Monitoring Program. The NFMP was created with the aim of building a knowledge base of firearms and their illegitimate use. The AIC has published several reports from this project, and the research has continued to inform the formulation of public policy in relation to firearms in Australia. This report summarises the exploratory findings from the analysis of firearms theft data provided by all jurisdictions in Australia during six months in 2004, using the firearms theft template. The purposes of this study were to: i) identify characteristics of firearms that are commonly stolen; ii) identify the nature of firearms theft in terms of time and location; iii) examine the way in which firearms theft is committed; and, iv) assess the rates of compliance with safe storage requirements and the prosecution of non-compliance. The findings outlined in this report provide useful insights into the emerging picture of firearms theft in Australia. This information is essential in assisting researchers, policy-makers and practitioners to: make well-informed strategic decisions; and, assess, modify and implement legislative reforms. It also highlights the importance of the continued collection of data on this issue, enabling the ongoing monitoring of trends and patterns of firearms theft in Australia over time and the identification of any changes. Such an ongoing policy response allows governments to respond in a timely and effective manner to any identified issues.

Note: Because of rounding, some percentages may not sum to 100.

Contents

• Cover and title pages (PDF 80kB)
• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Prior research on firearms theft
• Methodology
• Characteristics of firearms stolen
• The nature of incidents of firearms theft
• Compliance with the law
• Prosecution for non-compliance
• Repeat victimisation
• Recovery of stolen firearms
• Linking stolen firearms to criminal offences
• Future directions for policy and practice
• References
• Appendix A: Firearms theft template
• Appendix B: Format of data received
• Appendix C: Data quality issues
• Appendix D: Additional tables and charts
• Appendix E: Location of incidents of firearms theft

List of tables

• Table 1 : Firearms theft incidents and stolen firearms
• Table 2 : Type of firearm stolen
• Table 3 : Action type of rifles stolen
• Table 4 : Action type of shotguns stolen
• Table 5 : Action type of handguns stolen
• Table 6 : Category of firearm stolen
• Table 7 : Registration status of stolen firearms
• Table 8 : Registration status of stolen firearms by jurisdiction
• Table 9 : Category of firearms by registration status
• Table 10 : Persons who reported firearms theft to police
• Table 11 : Period between the incident date and reporting date
• Table 12 : Location of incidents of firearms theft
• Table 13 : Location of firearms thefts by type of firearms stolen
• Table 14 : Location details within private residential premises
• Table 15 : Location details within business premises
• Table 16 : Theft of other goods
• Table 17 : Types of goods stolen
• Table 18 : Method used to gain access to the location of the firearm
• Table 19 : Method used to gain access to the location of the handgun
• Table 20 : Method by point of entry to private residential premises
• Table 21 : Point of entry for thefts from business premises
• Table 22 : Type of storage where stolen firearms were kept and level of compliance
• Table 23 : Level of safe storage compliance, by jurisdiction
• Table 24 : Type of method used to access locked safes or receptacles
• Table 25 : Number of firearms thefts where ammunition was stolen
• Table 26 : Type of storage where ammunition was kept
• Table 27 : Level of police prosecution
• Table 28 : Level of police prosecution by jurisdiction
• Table 29 : Types of offences laid against firearms owners
• Table B.1 : Incidents of firearms theft and format of data received, by jurisdiction
• Table D.1: Type of firearms stolen by jurisdiction
• Table E.1: Location of incidents of firearms theft by jurisdiction (n=310)
• Table E.2: Types of firearms stolen from private residential premises (detailed location)
• Table E.3: Types of firearms stolen from business premises (detailed location)

List of figures

• Figure 1 : Firearms theft incidents as a proportion of licence holders
• Figure 2 : Firearms stolen as a proportion of registered firearms
• Figure 3 : Type of firearms stolen by jurisdiction (n=664)
• Figure 4 : Category of firearm stolen (n=631)
• Figure 5 : Handguns stolen, by jurisdiction (n=62)
• Figure 6 : Stolen handguns as a proportion of registered handguns
• Figure 7 : Incidents of firearms theft by month (n=318 incidents of theft)
• Figure 8 : Area and location type of incidents of firearms theft (n=318)
• Figure 9 : Type of area of incidents of firearms theft, by jurisdiction
• Figure 10 : Single firearms theft versus multiple firearms theft by location type
• Figure 11 : Incidents where other goods were stolen, by type of location
• Figure 12 : Method of entry, by number of firearms stolen from private residential premises
• Figure 13 : Method of entry, by number of firearms stolen from business/commercial premises
• Figure 14 : Level of safe storage compliance by number of firearms stolen
• Figure D.1: Firearms stolen in New South Wales (n=196)
• Figure D.2: Firearms stolen in Victoria (n=117)
• Figure D.3: Firearms stolen in Western Australia (n=89)
• Figure D.4: Firearms stolen in South Australia (n=97)
• Figure D.5: Firearms stolen in Queensland (n=91)
• Figure D.6: Firearms stolen in Tasmania (n=50)
• Figure D.7: Firearms stolen in the Northern Territory (n=21)

Related links

• Media release: AIC research finds decline in firearms theft
• Project information: National Firearms Monitoring Program
• Topics: Weapons; Property crime
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