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Police have seized more than 1,000 firearms and weapon pieces during a crackdown focusing on the proliferation of illicit firearms in the country and New Zealand.

Transnational Operation Leads to Detentions and Recoveries

A seven-day transnational initiative culminated in more than 180 detentions, as reported by customs agents, and the seizure of 281 DIY guns and pieces, among them items produced using 3D printers.

State-Level Finds and Detentions

Within NSW, authorities found several additive manufacturing devices in addition to glock-style pistols, ammunition clips and fabricated carrying cases, among other items.

Local law enforcement reported they apprehended 45 individuals and seized 518 guns and weapon pieces in the course of the initiative. Numerous persons were accused of violations such as the production of prohibited guns without a licence, importing banned items and owning a electronic design for production of firearms – an offense in some states.

“Such 3D printed components may look colourful, but they are serious items. Once assembled, they are transformed into dangerous tools – totally unlawful and extremely dangerous,” an experienced detective said in a release. “That’s why we’re aiming at the entire network, from printers to overseas components.

“Community security sits at the core of our weapon control program. Shooters are required to be licensed, guns have to be documented, and conformity is absolute.”

Growing Issue of DIY Guns

Data obtained as part of an probe indicates that in the last half-decade over 9,000 guns have been reported stolen, and that this year, law enforcement executed recoveries of homemade weapons in nearly all regional jurisdiction.

Judicial files indicate that the digital designs currently produced domestically, powered by an digital network of designers and advocates that support an “unlimited right to own and carry weapons”, are steadily functional and lethal.

During the last few years the development has been from “very novice, barely operational, practically single-use” to more advanced firearms, law enforcement reported earlier.

Border Interceptions and Web-Based Sales

Components that are not easily fabricated are commonly purchased from e-commerce sites internationally.

An experienced immigration officer commented that over 8,000 unlawful guns, parts and add-ons had been found at the customs checkpoint in the last financial year.

“Foreign-sourced weapon pieces can be constructed with additional privately manufactured pieces, creating dangerous and unmarked firearms filtering onto our communities,” the agent stated.

“Many of these goods are available for purchase by online retailers, which could result in individuals to mistakenly think they are not controlled on import. Numerous of these websites just process purchases from international acting as an intermediary without any considerations for border rules.”

Additional Recoveries Across Multiple Territories

Seizures of items such as a projectile launcher and incendiary device were additionally conducted in the southeastern state, the western territory, the southern isle and the Northern Territory, where police said they located multiple privately manufactured firearms, along with a additive manufacturing device in the remote town of Nhulunbuy.