Buying guns on Australia's illicit weapons black market is "surprisingly easy" for anyone who is "well-connected", according to university researchers who spoke to criminal underworld figures.
Deakin University researchers spoke to 75 career criminals, including outlaw motorcycle gang members, drug traffickers and armed robbers serving time in prison.
The interviews helped researchers identify six main channels through which underworld criminals circumvent Australia's strict gun laws to purchase firearms illegally.
Those avenues included brokers who "vouched" for the credibility of a buyer to gain access to a gun dealer, family connections and straight theft.
Some interviewees told how people without criminal records, known as "cleanskins", were tasked with buying guns for criminals.
The research has been published in the journal Deviant Behaviour.
Chief investigator David Bright said the researchers found the guns were overwhelmingly wanted for protection in the illicit drug trade or for use in armed robberies.
"Our research found that the black market for illegal firearms is closed to the general population, but if you are well-connected and trusted within criminal circles, it is surprisingly easy to get your hands on a gun," Professor Bright said.
Underworld figures tell of 'huge caches' of weapons
Professor Bright said many in the criminal underworld were enticed by the "thrill" of owning and using a firearm, while others told how their ability to access guns quickly enhanced their reputation among fellow criminals.
He said some of the interviewees spoke of illegal firearm suppliers having "huge caches" of guns, including pistols, shotguns and semi-automatic rifles.
The research is aimed at informing policymakers and police about how to plug gaps in the nation's firearms laws.
"Many of our interviewees said they were motivated to talk to us to help find solutions to the growing problem of gun crime."
According to the most recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, guns were used in 20 murders in Australia in 2020, down from 38 in 2019.
Guns were used in 441 robberies in 2020, 670 in 2019 and 619 in 2018.
