Weapon Search Laws Under Fire in Crime-Hit State
Queensland’s controversial weapon search laws face backlash as they become permanent, raising concerns over civil liberties and effectiveness
Queensland, Jack’s Law, Civil Liberties, Gold Coast, Weapons
Gold Coast: There’s a lot of buzz around Queensland’s new weapon search laws. They’re set to become permanent, and not everyone is happy about it.
The Liberal National Party is facing some serious heat after announcing that Jack’s Law will be part of the next justice legislation in 2025. This law lets police search people for weapons without a warrant, using metal detectors.
It all started after a tragic incident where a teenager named Jack Beasley was fatally stabbed. Since then, the law has been tested in nightlife areas and is now expanding to other venues.
But here’s the kicker: a civil liberties group is pushing back hard. They argue that there’s no solid proof that these searches actually cut down on crime. In fact, a review showed that police might misuse these powers, searching people based on biases.
Michael Cope, the group’s president, pointed out that while a lot of weapons were found, it didn’t mean crime rates dropped. Plus, Indigenous people were searched more often, which can really hurt community trust.
Originally, Jack’s Law was supposed to be temporary, but the LNP is making it a permanent fixture after taking over from Labor. They claim it’s been effective, with over 1,000 weapons seized.
Alongside this, there’s another law coming in 2025, called Daniel’s Law, named after a young boy who was abducted years ago. It’s a lot to unpack, and the debate is heating up.