Gel Blaster recreation and retail

Summary Offences (Prevention of Knife Crime) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

This bill makes it illegal to sell knives, swords, machetes, axes, Gel Blasters and other dangerous items to anyone under 18 in Queensland. It also bans the sale of weapons marketed to glorify violence — such as 'zombie knives' with violent imagery — and requires retailers to display warning signs and securely store particularly dangerous items. The bill responds to an 18% rise in knife-related offences since 2019 and a 22% rise among under-18s.