Police have seized 609 firearms in the Northern Region during the first eight months of Operation Whiskey Firestorm, designed to reduce illegal firearm use across Queensland.
Operation Whiskey Firestorm (OWF) was launched as a proactive initiative in response to 2024 statistics that saw more than 3,290 offences involving firearms recorded across Queensland. These included serious crimes such as attempted murder, assault and unlawful entry.
The initiative focuses on driving down firearm-related crime by ensuring licensed gun owners understand and comply with safe storage requirements, making it harder for weapons to fall into criminal possession.
Between 1 January and 31 August, police seized 609 firearms including 108 illicit firearms and 112 firearms parts and accessories.
In Townsville District, police seized 405 firearms, 64 illicit firearms and 66 firearms parts and accessories.
In Mount Isa District, police seized 204 firearms, 44 illicit firearms and 46 firearms parts and accessories.
Police also conduct 511 weapons audits, including 420 audits in Townsville District and 91 in Mount Isa ensuring Weapons Licence Holders were storing their firearms safely.
On 4 January, Ingham police attended a Warren Street address to reports a gun safe and a number of firearms had been stolen.
On 30 July, a 30-year-old Townsville woman was charged with two counts each of possess shortened firearm in public and possess category A,B or M weapon and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing things used in the commission of a crime, possessing tainted property, trafficking in dangerous drugs and receiving tainted property. She was remanded in custody and is expected to re-appear in Mount Isa Magistrates Court on 15 September.
On 8 March, police were executing a search warrant at a residence in Rasmussen and located an unsecured weapon safe contains firearms and a firearm stored in a cupboard.
A 47-year-old Aitkenvale man was charged with multiple offences including contravention of a licence condition, storage of weapons not in person's possession and fail to store small arms ammunition in secured container. He is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 17 September.
On 25 May, police attended a commercial block of land in Mount Isa to reports of the location of a vehicle trailer containing unsecured, unregistered firearms.
A 49-year-old Mount Isa man was charged with three counts of possess explosives (ammunition), two counts of unlawful possession of weapons and one count of receiving tainted property. He is due to re-appear in Mount Isa Magistrates Court on 8 September.
Townsville District Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd and Mount Isa District Detective Inspector Dave Barron said its important firearm owners remain vigilant.
"Through Operation Whiskey Firestorm, we are sending a clear message about the priorities for police and the Queensland community when it comes to firearm ownership - safety first, secure always.
"Locking your firearms in a proper safe is crucial in helping us reduce gun violence in Townsville and Mount Isa.
"Once a stolen firearm is in the community and in the hands of criminals, then there is real potential for it to be used to seriously harm someone or worse.
"Stolen firearms are often used in serious and organised crime and can cause significant harm to the community."
"Whilst operational efforts focus on working with licensed owners, firearm safety involves more than just our licensed community.
"We're asking Queenslanders to assist in keeping our communities safe by reporting suspicious activity to help police in the fight against firearm-related crimes."
Operation Whiskey Firestorm is a high-impact statewide initiative designed to tackle the critical issues of firearm safety and illicit firearms.
The operation is sending a clear message about the importance of proper firearm storage and the role licenced firearm owners play in ensuring community safety. Operation Whiskey Firestorm is also focusing on a coordinated statewide response to the investigation, prevention and disruption activities involving illicit firearms offences and violent firearm related offending.
This operation comes in response to 2024 statistics which saw 1,055 firearm licenses revoked, and over 3,290 offences involving firearms, including serious offences such as attempted murder, assault, robbery and unlawful entry.
The QPS will be conducting extensive audits, coordinating regional operations, and working with licensed firearm owners to ensure they meet safety and ownership rules and regulations.
