That's one every four hours.
Based on data obtained from police in each state and territory, the paper reveals that at least 9,000 guns have been stolen since 2020 and over 44,000 since 2000.
The new report builds on previous research showing there are now over 4 million guns in Australia, more than before the Port Arthur killings, and the subsequent reforms under the Howard Government.
"Thousands of guns are flowing into the hands of criminals every year, putting Australians in danger," said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.
"There are record numbers of guns in Australia and this research shows how easily they can fall into the hands of criminals.
"Theft of legal guns is the main source of illegal guns in Australia, not 3D printing or illegal imports. It's pretty simple – the more legal guns there are in Australia, the more illegal guns there will be.
"Australia would be safer with fewer guns in the community overall, and governments need to work to reduce the number of guns in Australia and in each state and territory.
"State and federal governments have been complacent, perhaps believing that gun control in Australia was sorted by the Howard Government in the 1990s.
"This research shows that gun control and keeping the community safe requires ongoing efforts from all levels of government.
"Australians might be shocked to discover that the Howard-era National Firearms Agreement has still not been completed.
"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.
"There's a clear path forward for governments to act."
