Recent findings by The Australia Institute, based on police records from across all states and territories, reveal a concerning trend: since 2020, over 9,000 firearms have been reported stolen in Australia, contributing to a staggering total of more than 44,000 stolen guns since 2000.

Despite the sweeping firearm law reforms implemented by the Howard government in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre, research suggests that the number of guns in Australia has surged past four million, exceeding the pre-reform numbers.

“Every year, thousands of firearms are illegally acquired by criminal elements, which poses a significant threat to public safety,” stated Rod Campbell, the research director at the Australia Institute. “The primary source of illegal firearms in the country is the theft of legally owned guns, overshadowing concerns like 3D printing or illegal imports. Essentially, an increase in legal firearms inevitably leads to more guns landing in the wrong hands.”

While the narrative around illegal firearms often highlights the role of 3D-printed guns, these are not solely found with criminal organizations or fringe groups. Surprisingly, such weapons also appear in the possession of licensed gun owners and technology aficionados.

Campbell criticized both state and federal authorities for their “complacency” in tackling this pressing issue, suggesting a need for more robust action to curb the flow of firearms into illegal markets.

Campbell said state and federal governments had been “complacent” on the issue.

“This research shows that gun control and keeping the community safe requires ongoing efforts from all levels of government,” he said.

“Australians might be shocked to discover that the Howard-era National Firearms Agreement has still not been completed.”

He suggested an immediate step state governments could take, one with Australian precedent.

“If we don’t want to go down the path of America, all states and territories can follow Western Australia’s lead of capping the number of guns any one person can own,” Campbell said.

“There’s a clear path forward for governments to act.”