A shocking number of young Victorians have been slapped with a firearms ban as the state continues to grapple with youth crime rates, sparking dire warnings the state's criminal justice system has "collapsed".

Firearm Prohibition Orders, introduced in Victoria seven years ago, prohibits a person aged over 14 from acquiring, possessing, or carrying a firearm or firearm related item.

Amid a spate of recent criminal activity in the state involving youth offenders, it has been revealed that dozens of teenagers – some younger than 16 – have been slapped with the ban.

The Herald Sun has reported that 40 people under the age of 19 were subject to the firearms order, with nine of those being under the age of 16.

Victorians served with the ban are required to immediately surrender all firearms

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