Thousands of Glock pistols issued to Aussie cops could be dangerously faulty but will remain in service

By FARID FARID and ANDREW STAFFORD FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 12:14, 23 April 2026 | Updated: 12:18, 23 April 2026 Potentially faulty service pistols will continue to be used by police while the firearms undergo testing, a deputy commissioner has said. The admission followed a fault identified which showed 15,000 Glock pistols issued by the Queensland Police Service could accidentally fire multiple bullets. However, while all the pistols will be tested, they are not all being immediately recalled despite the discovery of the malfunction that increases the weapon's potential lethality.  Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie said on Thursday the findings were concerning.  'We are now demanding answers of the Queensland Police Service,' he said. Deputy Commissioner Chris Stream said community safety would not be diminished while the state's supply of service-issued Glocks was tested. 'The ones that aren't tested will continue to be used,' he told reporters on Thursday. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie said he wants answers about the faulty weapons QPS officers have been issued with Glocks since 1999 The deputy commissioner was asked whether it was possible faulty weapons could be used in the field before they were tested, with potentially fatal consequences. 'Yes, there is that possibility,' he said. 'It would only come into effect if the weapon was drawn in a lethal use-of-force situation. 'It doesn't diminish the wider community safety.' He said weapons that failed further testing would be replaced with Glocks that had passed the test. Officers have received instructional videos about the issue. While the number of weapons affected and the cost of replacements were not yet known, Mr Stream said cost was not an issue in maintaining community safety.   The Queensland Police Service has used the pistol since 1999. Mr Stream was unable to say why the issue had only just arisen. Deputy Commissioner Chris Stream said it would be more dangerous to pull the weapons from service 'The QPS is actually still purchasing these weapons new, and as late as 2025, we received new batches of weapons,' he said. 'New testing has revealed this specific issue.' He said no operational incidents had been recorded in connection with the handguns. Queensland Police are working with suppliers to identify defects. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.