Huge rise in stolen guns on streets

Hundreds of firearms have been stolen from registered gun owners and police have seized more than 100 high-powered rifles and handguns from organised crime figures in the past 18 months.

And a black market for guns appears to be flourishing because firearm owners are not properly securing their weapons.

A police operation this month in which the storage of licensed firearms was checked at 370 properties resulted in 74 gun owners being charged and 189 guns being seized.

Firearm theft figures released this week by WA Police show 458 firearms were stolen from licensed gun owners in WA between January last year and July.

In the same period, police responded to 743 incidents that resulted in the seizure of firearms.

An Australian Institute of Criminology report from 2006-07 estimated that 1500 guns were stolen in Australia each year, few of which were ever recovered. Many ended up on the black market.

Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Anticich said: "We have found that the possession of firearms and other weapons are synonymous with organised crime culture.

"(Bikie gangs) use firearms principally as weapons of attack or intimidation. It is a known fact that the members are often involved in the trafficking of illegal firearms as they are not able to obtain a firearm by lawful means."

Police also pointed to a 2008 Australian Institute of Criminology report that showed 43 per cent of guns stolen nationally were not secured properly - figures Mr Anticich described as a "grave concern".

"Firearms have been found under beds, behind doors and in cupboards," he said.

The figures were released after police revealed they were considering asking the State Government to tighten gun laws to reflect legislation in NSW.

That legislation clarifies issues of possession and includes tougher penalties for some circumstances of aggravation.

The laws were changed there after more than 130 drive-by shootings within 10 months in 2007.

News of possible gun law changes came after a shooting at a home in Darch linked to a Comanchero bikie gang nominee on Wednesday morning.

That shooting was one of more than 20 high-profile incidents involving firearms since a sniper tried to shoot ousted Coffin Cheater Troy Mercanti as he rode his motorbike with members of his new gang, the Finks, in October 2008.