Illicit gun trade ‘thriving’, interviews with incarcerated criminal underworld figures reveal

Underworld figures are able to get their hands on illegal guns “within a matter of hours of leaving jail”, despite Australia’s tight gun laws.

Illicit firearms are ‘an increasingly desirable commodity and enabler for serious criminal activity in Victoria’. Picture: iStock

Bikies and drug traffickers have divulged that it is “surprisingly easy” for people to get their hands on stockpiles of illegal guns despite Australia’s tight gun laws.

Deakin University researchers studied 75 in-depth interviews with a string of incarcerated criminal underworld figures, revealing that most shady characters enlist the help of their associates without criminal records, known as ‘cleanskins’, to obtain firearms on the dark web.

Gun brokers and criminals’ well-connected associates were other popular means of obtaining the illegal weapons, which ranged from Glock pistols, shotguns, and semiautomatic rifles.

Wanting to commit armed robbery and simply the thrill of owning an illegal gun were among the two most common motives for skirting gun regulations.

Researchers say it is ‘surprisingly easy’ for criminals to buy illegal guns.

The findings come amid a slew of underworld shootings in Victoria and NSW in recent months, with professional boxer and former bikie Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim shot just weeks ago at a funeral in Fawkner.

Meanwhile, a dozen targeted killings have marred the streets of Sydney in the past two years alone.

Lead researcher Professor David Bright from Deakin’s Alfred Deakin Institute said Australia’s illicit gun trade was “thriving” because convicted criminals had no trouble getting their hands on guns – even after being incarcerated.

“Many interviewees told us they could get a gun within a matter of hours after leaving jail. It was just that quick and easy for those who were well connected,” Prof Bright said.

Sam "The Punisher" Abdulrahim was shot at his cousin’s funeral in Fawkner. Picture: Instagram

Abdulrahim’s Mercedes was fired at. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The most recent Crime Statistics Agency data shows there have been 4,978 firearm related offences so far this year.

Last year, 5057 offences were recorded. Most firearm crimes were carried out on residential properties.

Prof Bright said the findings had been years in the making, but recent gangland crime highlighted potential gaps in current legislation and policing of illegal firearms.

The Illicit Firearms Squad, Armed Crime Squad, Echo Taskforce and the recently established VIPER taskforce are all run by police in a bid to stamp out gang-related crime.

Members of Victoria Police’s recently formed Viper taskforce. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Our research is equally as applicable now given the recent spate of gang related shootings in New South Wales and Victoria. We hope our findings will inform policies that improve community safety and limit access to illegal guns,” Prof Bright said.

In response to the study, Detective Superintendent Peter Brigham of Victoria Police Crime Command said illegal guns remained a “significant concern” for police in Victoria and authorities around the country.

“While Australia has some of the strongest firearm controls in the world, illicit firearms are an increasingly desirable commodity and enabler for serious criminal activity here in Victoria,” he said.

“Violent criminals accessing illicit firearms is a recipe for disaster and often ends in tragedy.”

Victoria Police seized more than 1000 illegal guns from criminals last year.

There are more than 1500 Victorians who have been issued with firearm prohibition orders (FPOs).

Anyone with information about illegal weapons should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.