Police are currently investigating a number of incidents where weapons were fired at premises.

They have also seized sawn off or shortened firearms as well as handguns.

However, the majority of firearms offences continue to involve people not storing their weapons correctly, or unlicensed people possessing firearms, police say.

Ballarat police Superintendent Andrew Allen said police continued to take firearms offences seriously and echoed concern felt by other police across the state.

“Victoria Police takes the regulation of firearms very seriously, however, the penalties imposed upon an individual for an offence committed against the Firearms Act 1996 are determined by the courts,” Superintendent Allen said.

“Maximum penalties for offences committed against the Firearms Act vary depending on the offence.”

In 2015 the Crime Statistics Agency recorded 12 instances where firearms were stolen from properties in the Ballarat local government area. In 2011 that figure sat at three.

The recorded 2015 thefts occurred in Buninyong, Central Ballarat, Delacombe, Mount Helen, Nerrina, Scotsburn, Smythesdale, Warrenheip and Wendouree.

In 2015 the majority of firearms offences in central Ballarat were when a prohibited person was found to be carrying a fire arm.

A total of 31 offences in central Ballarat were recorded, down from a high of 52 in 2013.

The next highest number of overall firearms offences were recorded in Wendouree. 

That number also dropped from 24 to 22.

Cardigan saw a steep rise from one recorded offence in 2014 to 12 in 2015.

Superintendent Allen said all police including Licensing and Regulation Division together with Divisional Firearm Officers (DFOs) remained responsible for compliance with and enforcement of the Firearms Act.

“Compliance and enforcement activities include routine and random storage inspections of licence holders’ nominated storage addresses and audits of firearm clubs, shooting ranges and licenced firearm dealers to ensure that licence holders are meeting the conditions of their licences and storage obligations under the Act,” he said.

He said firearm officers also aide other government agencies, including Parks Victoria, in enforcing the law.