Vic ice traffickers carrying guns: police

Criminals trafficking ice are choosing to carry guns to deal with "volatile" people and Victoria Police says the trend is behind an increase in shootings.

The state has had dozens of shootings in the past six months, including drive-bys and targeted hits, and police believe many are linked to the ice trade.

Chief commissioner Graham Ashton on Thursday said ice use and trafficking was associated with volatile behaviour - and with that came a rise in gun crime.

"We do see criminals wanting to carry a firearm as they're trafficking ice," Mr Ashton told reporters.

The latest Victorian crime statistics, released on Thursday, show weapons and explosives offences jumped 17 per cent from 2014 to 2015.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton last week said the "ice situation" was resulting in an increase in violent behaviour.

He said crooks were using firearms to defend their profits.

Mr Ashton on Thursday said recent changes to the law had helped - but the problem was tracking unregistered guns.

Premier Daniel Andrews believes increasing penalties for gun offences has made Victoria Police's job easier.

"The statute book is much better today than it was," Mr Andrews said on Thursday.

Police Association secretary Ron Iddles argues the number of guns required for a trafficking charge to be laid should be reduced.