Unlawful possession · knives · licensing
Weapons & firearms
Weapons charges range from carrying a knife in public to unlawful possession of a category-H firearm — and the penalties, and the effect on any weapons licence, vary enormously with the category.
Weapons offences are dealt with under the Weapons Act 1990. The weapon category drives everything: possession of a prohibited or higher-category weapon is treated far more seriously than a minor knife charge, and a conviction can end a weapons licence and a shooting or farming livelihood.
We examine how the weapon was found, whether any licensing or storage defence applies, and whether the item is even a 'weapon' as defined. For minor matters, we focus on keeping the record clean.
The charges — and what they carry
Figures are statutory maximums under Queensland law. Actual sentences are usually far lower — get advice about your matter.
Defences we run
- The item is not a weapon within the meaning of the Act
- A reasonable excuse for possession
- The search or seizure was unlawful
- Licensing, storage or transport defences
How we defend you
- We identify the weapon category and the real exposure straight away.
- We test the lawfulness of the search and any reasonable-excuse defence.
- For minor matters we pursue a non-conviction to protect a licence.
Questions people ask
I had a knife for work — is that a defence?
A reasonable excuse, such as a genuine work or lawful-purpose reason, can be a defence to carrying a knife in public. The specifics matter, and we assess them carefully.
Will I lose my firearms licence?
A conviction can affect your licence, which is why avoiding a conviction is often the priority. We build the case for that outcome where the facts allow.