Buying weapons on Australia’s black market for illicit weapons is “surprisingly easy” for anyone who is “well connected,” according to university researchers who spoke to underworld criminal figures.
Key points:
- Deakin University researchers spoke to 75 underworld criminal figures about how they accessed illegal firearms
- Illegal weapons were overwhelmingly sought to protect themselves from illegal drug trafficking or to be used in armed robberies.
- Respondents said illegal arms dealers had “huge cache” of weapons
Deakin University investigators spoke to 75 career criminals, including members of illegal motorcycle gangs, drug traffickers and armed robbers serving sentences in prison.
The interviews helped investigators identify six main channels through which underworld criminals evade Australia’s strict gun laws to buy firearms illegally.
These pathways included brokers who “endorsed” a buyer’s credibility to access an arms dealer, family connections, and direct theft.
Some interviewees explained how people without a criminal record, known as “clean skins,” were tasked with buying weapons for criminals.
The research has been published in the journal Deviant Behavior.
Chief investigator David Bright said investigators found the weapons were overwhelmingly sought to protect themselves in illicit drug trafficking or to be used in armed robberies.
“Our research found that the black market for illegal firearms is closed to the general population, but if you are well connected and trusted within criminal circles, it is surprisingly easy to get your hands on a gun, “Professor Bright said.
“A lot of interviewees told us they could get a gun in a matter of hours after they got out of jail; it was so quick and easy for those who were well connected.”
The figures of the underworld speak of “enormous caches” of arms
The investigation found that many illegal weapons were used to protect themselves in drug trafficking or to be used in armed robberies. (ABC North Coast: Leah White)
Professor Bright said many of the criminal underworlds were seduced by the “excitement” of owning and using a firearm, while others explained how their ability to access weapons quickly improved their reputation among his fellow criminals.
He said some of the interviewees spoke of illegal suppliers of firearms that had “huge caches” of weapons, including pistols, shotguns and semi-automatic rifles.
The investigation aims to inform policymakers and police about how to plug gaps in the country’s firearms laws.
“Many of those we spoke to told us they wanted to get out of criminal life and stop carrying guns when they were released,” Professor Bright said.
“Many of our interviewees said they were motivated to talk to us to help find solutions to the growing problem of gun crime.”
According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, weapons were used in 20 murders in Australia in 2020, down from 38 in 2019.
Weapons were used in 441 thefts in 2020, 670 in 2019 and 619 in 2018.