Putting bikies under the gun
A TOUGH new laws package targeting bikies and aimed to stop drive-by shootings on the Gold Coast has been announced by the LNP.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington yesterday called for bipartisan support for the legalisation which includes a new offence to cover drive-by shootings, increase penalties for gun crime, and disrupt the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms.
Queensland does not have a law specific to drive-by shooting, and the LNP’s reforms will see the offence carry a 16-year jail term.
LNP police spokesman Trevor Watts in Parliament yesterday in detailing the reform package said a key focus of the Private Members Bill was prohibiting high-risk offenders from acquiring, possessing or using a firearm.
“Firearm Prohibition Orders allow police to prohibit high-risk offenders with a history of violence or links with criminal or terrorist organisations from acquiring, possessing or using a gun,” Mr Watts said.
“FPOs have helped mitigate gun crime in South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. The LNP’s Bill will deliver Queensland police the valuable crime-preventing measure as well.
“Queenslanders will be safer if we stop criminals from getting their hands on a firearm.”
Mr Watts accused Labor of “watering down the LNP’s tough laws and cutting the police budget” which was an open invitation for bikies to come back to Queensland.
“The LNP’s laws introduce a new offence directly targeted at drive-by shootings because we don’t want innocent Queenslanders caught in the crossfire,” he said.
“Under the LNP’s laws, a person who commits a driveby faces up to 16 years in jail.
“We also can’t afford to lag behind technology, which is why our laws target the possession of digital blueprints and devices like 3D printers for the manufacture of firearms.
“Our hard-working police will be empowered with new offences to charge criminals and with increased penalties to keep gun crime offenders behind bars.”
Since March the Bulletin in a series of reports has detailed concerns about a bikie war escalating on the Coast with police warned to move specialist officers from north back to the Glitter Strip.
A gunshot victim was taunting attackers with posts on social media saying “I’ve had harder sparring sessions”, and the firebombing of a business in Brisbane increased tensions between Rebels and Bandidos.
Ms Frecklington said the safety of Queenslanders must be the first priority of government. “Sadly, Queensland currently has some of the weakest gun crime laws in Australia,” she said. “Where there should be tough penalties and tight protections, there are weak punishments and glaring holes in Queensland laws.
“The surge in organised criminal gangs and bikie shootouts in broad daylight warrant tougher, practical measures to end gun violence in Queensland.
“Queensland will be a safer place if our gun crime laws are passed in Parliament.”
The new gun legislation will be considered by the parliamentary’s legal affairs committee with members from both sides of politics making recommendations to the Parliament.