Due to its clandestine nature, the size of the illicit firearm market cannot be definitively measured. However, based on available data, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) conservatively estimates there are 200,000 firearms (190,000 long-arms and 10,000 handguns) in the domestic illicit market. This is a reduction compared to the previous estimate released publicly in 2016.
This revised estimate is based on a range of intelligence sources, including historical and updated firearm importation figures, seizure trends, and the number of firearms surrendered during the course of Commonwealth, state and territory amnesties.
There are a number of variables involved in reaching this assessment, and the ACIC will continue to review this estimation as more definitive information becomes available.
