What it does
The Weapons Act 1990 (Qld) establishes a comprehensive licensing and regulatory regime for the possession, use, acquisition, sale, manufacture, repair and storage of "weapons". The term "weapon" is defined in Sch 2 to include firearms, crossbows, certain knives, spear guns, longbows and prescribed items. The Act's central objects are stated in s 3: weapon possession and use are subordinate to public and individual safety, and public safety is best served by strict controls on possession together with safe and secure storage and carriage (s 3(1)). The object is "to prevent the misuse of weapons" (s 3(2)).
For firearms the object is pursued through five mechanisms set out in s 4:
- prohibition of automatic and self-loading rifles and shotguns except in "special circumstances" (s 4(a));
- an integrated licensing and registration scheme (s 4(b));
- a "genuine reason" test that every applicant must satisfy (s 4(c) and s 11);
- strict requirements for the grant of licences, acquisition and sale (s 4(d)); and
- mandatory safe-storage and carriage rules (s 4(e)).
The Act is structured in eight parts. Part 1 contains preliminary provisions, objects, definitions (now largely in Sch 2) and the key exemption section (s 2) that removes Commonwealth and State defence, police and certain government entities from the licensing regime provided they comply with notification and storage conditions. Part 2 deals with the grant, renewal, conditions, suspension and revocation of licences. Part 3 regulates acquisition, sale and disposal, including the permit-to-acquire system and the firearms register. Part 4 imposes general possession and use controls, dealer and armourer obligations, collector rules and security-guard licensing. Part 5 adds stricter rules for category H (concealable) firearms. Part 5A (inserted 2024) creates the firearm prohibition order regime. Parts 6–8 contain review rights, evidentiary aids, regulation-making powers and transitional provisions.