Australia's gun problem: Deakin expert calls for stricter gun control

Professor David Bright of Deakin's School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation specialises in research on criminal networks and organised crime.

He said shocking data released in January by The Australia Institute showed four million guns are owned by civilians nationwide; 25% more than in 1996.

Professor Bright's new book, Illicit Firearms Markets and Organised Crime: Global, Regional, and Local Perspectives, advocates for stricter gun controls of both legal and illicit firearms to combat crime and better protect the community.

Professor Bright said the number of illegal firearms in circulation, when factored in, pushed the total number of guns in the community higher than The Australia Institute's figures, and 3D printed firearms were of particular concern to police.

'Advancements in 3D printing technology have made these guns more prolific and more reliable. The fear is their accessibility will increase the risk of them falling into the hands of organised crime or extremist groups,' Professor Bright said.

'A National Firearms Register was supposed to be established as part of the National Firearms Agreement following the events at Port Arthur in 1996, but progress towards developing one has been slow.

'Illicit firearms are a key enabler of crime and illegal trade. They facilitate conflict over control of black markets, deter legitimate state actors such as police from intervening, and are used to coerce, extort and otherwise harm victims.'

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission data released last year estimates 200,000 illicit firearms are in the hands of criminals. This is a conservative figure, and Professor Bright said the real number could be as high as 800,000.

Illegal firearms include guns illegally made or imported, and unregistered firearms not surrendered under the nation’s gun amnesty that have made their way into the black market.

Professor Bright said Australians broadly support stricter gun controls, but politicians had been slow to act.

'Measuring the number of illegal guns in the community is difficult because they are not registered.

'But the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates the global illicit market contains the equivalent of around 10 to 20% of the number of firearms in the licit market. This equates to about 400,000 to 800,000 illegal guns when applied to Australia.

'The number of registered and unregistered firearms in the community should be of concern. A National Firearm Register will improve the tracking and tracing of firearms in Australia and facilitate better information sharing of legal and illicit firearms between law enforcement agencies. It should be a priority for politicians and for voters as we head into a federal election.'