Citation

Bricknell S. Trends Iss. Crime Crim. Justice 2008; 361.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Australian Institute of Criminology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Over the past 10-15 years, although the overall use of firearms in violent crime has declined, handguns have increasingly become the firearm of choice in both Australia and other English-speaking countries. Handguns are often used as a means of protection, particularly among people involved in gangs and the drugs market, and their concealable nature, high firepower and large calibre are often cited as features prompting their acquisition by the criminal community. This paper describes the use of handguns to commit lethal and non-lethal crime in Australia; and in light of recent legislative restrictions on handgun ownership and use, the legal status of handguns used in these crimes. Overall there appear to be low ownership rates among offenders in Australia. However, handguns currently account for around half of all firearm-related homicides and are distinguishable from other homicides, particularly with regard to location (non-residential), relationship between victim and offender (known but not related), and alleged motive (money or drugs). Handgun-perpetrated armed robberies are also found to be distinct from robberies committed with other weapons, with a higher proportion targeting organisations and netting greater monetary yields. The majority of handguns used in crime appear to be illegal. Available data suggest many are acquired from friends or family, and diversion, including theft from legal sources, may represent an important source of handguns (and other firearms) into the illegal market and their subsequent use in crime.