NCJ Number
221295
Date Published
2007
Length
106 pages
Annotation
This report describes firearms thefts reported to police between July 2005 and June 2006 in Australia.
Abstract
Highlights of report findings include: (1) a decline in the number of firearms stolen yearly, down from an estimated 5,000 firearms in the period immediately prior to the implementation of the National Firearms Agreement, and a more modest drop from the 1,470 firearms reported stolen in 2004-2005; (2) long-arms (rifles and shotguns) remain the most common type of firearm stolen but the proportional theft of handguns has more than halved, from 14 to 5 percent over the past 10 years; (3) most firearms reported stolen were registered, and the majority of firearms owners held appropriate licenses for their firearms; (4) one-third of firearms owners continue to store their firearms in unapproved receptacles or do not secure them at all; and (5) a recent increase in the prosecution of noncompliant owners resulting in potential improvements in firearm storage. The National Firearms Theft Monitoring Program (NFTMP) was established for long term examination and monitoring of firearms theft in Australia. This report provides information on all incidents of firearms theft reported to police in Australian States and territories for July 2005 to June 2006. The report examines the characteristics of stolen firearms, circumstances of the theft incident, modus operandi of offenders, storage arrangements and compliance with firearms laws and regulations, recovery of firearms, prosecution of offenders, and use of stolen firearms in subsequent illegal activities. Tables, figures, references, and appendixes A-C