New Queensland gun restrictions take effect amid surge in licence applications, driven by uncertainty

New restrictions on who can own guns in Queensland come into effect today, amid a spike in new applications to register weapons.

The latest figures from Queensland Police show a 21 per cent rise in firearm licence applications in March 2026, a month after Premier David Crisafulli announced reforms in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Several provisions of the act relating to antisemitism are already in effect, but from today only Australian citizens will be eligible for a weapons licence, and non-citizens will need exemptions for sport or work.

Industry and experts say uncertainty about future restrictions is among a mix of factors driving demand, with women leading the charge.

Uncertainty spikes demand

Aaron Lemphers runs one of Queensland's largest firearms training services, providing accredited safety courses in almost 70 locations across the state.

He said enquiries spiked almost immediately after the December attack.

"Literally the weekend after it happened … the phone didn't stop," Mr Lemphers said.

"They would say, 'I want to get one before the government makes it harder. I want to get my wife a licence before they can take them.'"

Applicants must complete a safety course approved by Queensland Police before they can apply for a gun licence.

In the past six months, Mr Lemphers said he had hired four additional training contractors to meet the rising demand.

Figures to the end of May show there were 234,732 issued weapons licences and 1,171,717 registered weapons in Queensland.

In March, there were 2,387 new firearm licence applications, up from 1,971 the year before, a rise of 21 per cent.

Between January and April, applications were up 19 per cent, with more than 1,200 additional applications lodged compared with the same period in 2025.

In North Queensland, Bowen Sporting Shooters Association president Marty Duggan said a growing number of women were applying for gun licences and joining the sport.

"Husbands are getting their wives to join clubs so they can share the weapons if the Queensland government do put a limit on them."

While the reforms have influenced some of his members to consider new licences, experts who study legal gun owners say there were several factors at play.

The broader picture

University of Queensland criminologist associate professor Suzanna Fay has spent years researching Australia's legal firearms community.

She said while it was unlikely there was a single explanation for the increase in licence applications, concerns over the reforms were a factor.

"It's hard for me to tell exactly what is driving that trend and it's probably more than just one thing."

She said nationally there was a longer-term trend of more women becoming involved in recreational shooting and shooting sports, as both clubs and family members increased recruitment.

Dr Fay said firearm ownership often served a different purpose in rural Australia than in metropolitan areas.

"The reasons for rural ownership are a bit different to city ownership of firearms. It's really around farm work that's intrinsic to their livelihood," she said.

She said public debate after high-profile incidents such as the Bondi attack needed to be evidence-based.

"I understand that there are emotions in play, and the fear is very real," she said.

"But we need to make sure we have those discussions without driving everybody to extremes."

Concerns over future law changes

The last of the reforms introduced by the state government are due to come into effect in 2027.

But advocacy group Shooters Union Australia president Graham Park said gun owners were worried more restrictions could come, especially as the federal government pursued a buyback.

He said some members had encouraged spouses or adult family members to obtain firearm licences while they could.

"People respond," he said. "Family members will get a licence … which is perfectly sensible behaviour when you're trying to keep family heirlooms and work tools."