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Police have seized in excess of 1,000 weapons and weapon pieces in a sweep targeting the proliferation of unlawful firearms in the nation and New Zealand.

Cross-Border Operation Results in Apprehensions and Recoveries

A seven-day cross-border operation culminated in more than 180 detentions, as reported by border officials, and the confiscation of 281 DIY guns and pieces, among them products made by 3D printers.

Regional Finds and Apprehensions

Within NSW, law enforcement found multiple three-dimensional printers alongside pistols of a certain design, magazines and 3D-printed holsters, among other items.

State law enforcement said they arrested 45 suspects and seized 518 guns and firearm parts during the operation. Numerous individuals were faced with offences such as the manufacture of illegal weapons without proper authorization, bringing in prohibited goods and having a computer file for manufacture of firearms – an offense in various jurisdictions.

“These 3D printed components may look vibrant, but they are not toys. After construction, they become deadly arms – completely illegal and extremely dangerous,” a high-ranking officer said in a announcement. “For this purpose we’re targeting the complete pipeline, from fabrication tools to imported parts.

“Citizen protection forms the basis of our firearms licensing system. Shooters must be licensed, weapons have to be documented, and conformity is non-negotiable.”

Rising Issue of Privately Made Guns

Information obtained for an inquiry shows that over the past five years over 9,000 firearms have been reported stolen, and that currently, authorities made seizures of DIY guns in the majority of state and territory.

Legal documents reveal that the computer blueprints being manufactured domestically, fuelled by an internet group of creators and enthusiasts that advocate for an “complete liberty to possess firearms”, are steadily functional and dangerous.

During the last few years the trend has been from “extremely amateur, minimally functional, practically single-use” to more advanced firearms, authorities stated at the time.

Border Interceptions and Digital Purchases

Components that are difficult to 3D-printed are often ordered from online retailers abroad.

A senior border official commented that more than 8,000 unlawful guns, components and add-ons had been found at the customs checkpoint in the last financial year.

“Imported firearm parts are often put together with other homemade components, producing dangerous and untraceable weapons appearing on our neighborhoods,” the agent said.

“Many of these products are offered by e-commerce sites, which might cause individuals to wrongly believe they are unregulated on import. Numerous of these websites simply place orders from abroad acting as an intermediary lacking attention for customs laws.”

Other Seizures In Multiple Regions

Confiscations of items including a projectile launcher and incendiary device were additionally conducted in the southeastern state, the western territory, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, where police stated they located a number of homemade firearms, along with a 3D printer in the remote town of a specific location.