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Law enforcement taken possession of more than 1,000 guns and gun parts in a operation targeting the spread of illicit firearms in the country and New Zealand.

Cross-Border Operation Results in Arrests and Recoveries

The week-long cross-border effort resulted in in excess of 180 apprehensions, based on statements from border officials, and the recovery of 281 DIY firearms and parts, such as products made by additive manufacturing devices.

Regional Finds and Detentions

Within NSW, law enforcement located several additive manufacturing devices alongside glock-style pistols, ammunition clips and custom-made holders, in addition to various pieces.

Local law enforcement said they detained 45 people and took possession of 518 weapons and gun components during the operation. Several individuals were accused of crimes such as the creation of illegal weapons without a licence, bringing in illegal products and owning a computer file for manufacture of weapons – a crime in certain regions.

“These additively manufactured parts could seem colourful, but they are not toys. When put together, they are transformed into dangerous tools – entirely illicit and very risky,” a high-ranking officer commented in a release. “This is the reason we’re aiming at the complete pipeline, from fabrication tools to imported parts.

“Community security is the foundation of our weapon control program. Gun owners must be authorized, guns must be recorded, and compliance is absolute.”

Growing Phenomenon of Privately Made Firearms

Statistics gathered for an probe indicates that over the past five years over 9,000 firearms have been lost to theft, and that this year, law enforcement made seizures of privately manufactured firearms in almost every administrative division.

Judicial files show that the computer blueprints currently produced in Australia, fuelled by an internet group of developers and enthusiasts that advocate for an “complete liberty to keep and bear arms”, are steadily functional and dangerous.

During the last several years the pattern has been from “very novice, very low-powered, practically single-use” to higher-quality weapons, authorities stated earlier.

Border Interceptions and Online Sales

Parts that are difficult to 3D-printed are frequently ordered from e-commerce sites abroad.

A senior immigration officer stated that in excess of 8,000 unlawful weapons, pieces and accessories had been discovered at the border in the previous fiscal year.

“Overseas weapon pieces may be assembled with additional homemade components, producing dangerous and unregistered firearms making their way to our communities,” the official added.

“Numerous of these items are being sold by digital stores, which may lead individuals to mistakenly think they are permitted on import. Many of these websites only arrange transactions from overseas acting as an intermediary with no regard for import regulations.”

Other Recoveries Across Multiple Regions

Recoveries of items including a projectile launcher and incendiary device were also made in the southeastern state, the WA region, the island state and the the central territory, where police stated they discovered several homemade firearms, along with a fabrication tool in the distant settlement of a specific location.