Weapons Offences

Addressing Youth Knife Crime in NSW: Legislative Responses Following the Westfield Bondi Junction Incident

On April 13, 2024, a tragic event unfolded at Westfield Bondi Junction when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi fatally stabbed six individuals and injured several others before being shot by police. This incident, among others, has intensified concerns regarding knife-related violence in New South Wales (NSW), particularly involving youth. In response, the NSW government has enacted legislative reforms aimed at curbing such crimes and enhancing public safety. This article examines the legislative changes, their context, and the potential penalties associated with knife-related offences. Legislative Reforms: Enhancing Police Search Powers In response to the rise in knife-related incidents, the NSW government amended the Law Enforcement (Powers...

Buying and Selling Knives – Offences and Obligations on Buyers, Sellers and Employees in Queensland

In a bid to curb weapon-related crime and youth delinquency in Queensland, the new Summary Offences (Prevention of Knife Crime) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (the Act) was assented to by Parliament and will commence on a day to be fixed. The objective of the Act is to advance essential reforms designed to promote community safety, reduce youth offending and minimise the risks associated with knives and other dangerous items. In doing so, it introduces new provisions to the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 and Summary Offences Act 2005 imposing strict regulations on buyers and sellers of “controlled items” with...

QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICES NOW CANCELLING MORE FIREARMS LICENCES THAN EVER BEFORE

Recent Changes to QPS Weapons Licensing Unit Guidelines Since the introduction of new guidelines for the issuing of firearms in Queensland, Potts Lawyers has received a substantial increase in enquiries concerning: The cancellation of existing weapons licences; and The refusal of new weapons licence applications. Why is the QPS Weapons Licensing Unit Taking this Approach? In early 2021, the QPS adopted guidelines which results in automatic cancellation or rejection of firearms licences and applications, respectively.  We wrote an article on this topic last year which can be located here: https://pottslawyers.com.au/blog/weapons-offences/strict-guidelines-by-qps-for-weapons-licensing-appeal-weapons-license-refusal/ The guidelines appear to be a response to a report published by the...

New Strict Guidelines Imposed by QPS for Weapons Licensing – How to Appeal a Weapons License Refusal

Introduction In Queensland, and all other states and territories in Australia, a person must have a Weapons Licence (also referred to as a firearms licence in other jurisdictions) to possess and use a firearm.   In each jurisdiction within Australia, a person must demonstrate a “genuine reason” for holding a Weapons Licence, and all firearms must be registered by serial number to the licenced owner. In the wake of mass shootings and increased firearms related deaths in other countries, such as the United States, these restrictive firearms regulations seem sensible and are required to ensure public safety. In Queensland, the Queensland Police Service...

Weapons Licensing Matters in Queensland

Australian attitudes towards gun laws are arguably much more sensible than those in the United States, where mass shootings and gun related violence are a common occurrence.  The rest of the world sees Australia, and the lessons learned from the Port Arthur massacre, as a leading example of why gun laws should be strengthened.   It is evident that the strengthening of gun laws in Australia has generally led to a downturn in gun related homicides and crimes, and since Australian gun laws were strengthened, no mass murders similar to Port Arthur have occurred since. Despite this, gun laws and gun safety...

Guns On The Gold Coast

Bill Potts appears on Channel 9’s A Current Affair and comments to the Gold Coast Bulletin regarding guns on the Gold Coast and the inadequacies of current gun laws.

Curfew: Replica Firearm In Gold Coast Nightclub

The mother of a man charged over allegedly threatening a Surfers Paradise nightclub patron with a fake handgun told a court she would ‘tie up’ her son so he did not break his curfew.

Jim Stokes, 23, of Surfers Paradise, was granted bail in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday on strict conditions, including that he live with his mother, abide by a 9pm curfew and stay out of the Surfers Paradise nightclub precinct.