State bans sale of knives and replica guns to minors

Retailers can immediately restrict the sale of knives and replica firearms after Queensland's parliament passed laws banning their sale to minors.

The state government had moved to bring forward the legislation after initially introducing a bill in November.

It follows the introduction of "Jack's Law" in 2023, created after the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.

It also expanded legislation to allow police to use personal metal detectors or "wands" to search people in so-called Safe Night Precincts as well as on public transport.

It is now an offence to sell knives, gel blasters and edged weapons like machetes, axes and swords to juveniles in Queensland.

The maximum penalty for possession of a weapon in public will increase from 12 to 18 months' imprisonment for a first offence, increasing from 18 months to two years for the second offence. 

The reforms have been welcomed by Jack Beasley's father Brett, but he said more legislative changes were necessary.

"I believe that the whole Youth Justice Act needs to be rewritten. I mean, the kids back in those days aren’t the same as they are today,” he said when asked about juvenile crime. 

Michael Stewart, who lost his teenage son Balin in a fatal stabbing, called the new laws a "baby step" but believed education remained a priority.

He runs the Balin Stewart Foundation that aims to reduce knife crime and people carrying weapons through education.

"We were blindsided so awareness is something that's dear to our heart,” Mr Stewart said on Wednesday.

"My main focus is educating teens and getting teens to actually not want to carry a knife, that's the No.1 step. 

"If other kids go 'hey, if you're carrying a knife, I'm going to tell police on you, it's not something that we put up with in our community’, then that's the way to go."

Police have seized more than 450 knives and dangerous weapons since the introduction of Jack's Law.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the new laws further support the impact Jack's Law is having on community safety.

The state government has committed $6 million towards knife prevention and education campaigns, including $500,000 over two years to the Beasley Foundation and $200,000 over two years to the Balin Stewart Foundation.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store