Hefty fines will be slapped on anyone who sells knives to juveniles in Queensland under proposed laws.
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Police Minister Mark Ryan has outlined the penalties after introducing reforms that will ban the sale of items such as knives, axes and machetes as well as replica firearms including gel blasters to anyone under 18.
Mr Ryan on Wednesday tabled the legislative amendments in parliament designed to enhance community safety and reduce youth offending.
A maximum penalty of $21,672 will apply to retailers or individuals who sell the controlled items to a juvenile.
If they are caught doing it a second time the penalty doubles, increasing to $65,016 for three or more offences.
Further penalties apply to retailers if they fail to properly display signs regarding the new legislation and do not appropriately secure controlled items within stores.
Anyone caught attempting to buy a controlled item with a fake ID faces a maximum fine of $3870.
The legislative reforms come after Queensland parliament expanded powers for police to stop and search people for knives earlier this year, dubbed "Jack's Law".
The knife search reforms were enacted after 17-year-old Jack Beasley was fatally stabbed outside a Surfers Paradise convenience store in 2019.
Since the search laws were passed, 36,000 people have been scanned for knives and almost 4000 weapons seized, Mr Ryan said.
"The laws I introduce today are the next step," he told parliament.
"These are common sense reforms. These are reforms that will support safer retail environments and a safer community.
"Every weapon off the streets represents a tragedy being avoided and a potential life saved."
Mr Ryan acknowledged the input of retailers into the proposed laws and inconveniences that may arise in transitioning when the reforms are passed.
Dan Tyne, the director of a wholesale gel blaster distributor in Australia, said the general response from business owners and practices was in favour of the legislative changes.
"There are, however, a small handful of businesses out there who are strongly opposed to any amendments to legislation surrounding gel blasters," he said.
"But the majority of the gel blaster community is supportive of this bill and anything that promotes community safety."
Australian Associated Press
