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Police have seized over 1,000 guns and gun parts as part of a operation aimed at the spread of unlawful firearms in the country and the island nation.

Cross-Border Effort Culminates in Arrests and Recoveries

The week-long cross-border operation led to in excess of 180 apprehensions, according to immigration authorities, and the confiscation of 281 DIY guns and parts, among them items produced using additive manufacturing devices.

Regional Discoveries and Apprehensions

In New South Wales, authorities found numerous 3D printers together with semi-automatic handguns, magazines and 3D-printed holsters, in addition to various pieces.

Local police stated they arrested 45 suspects and confiscated 518 firearms and weapon pieces during the effort. Several suspects were accused of offences including the creation of illegal guns without proper authorization, bringing in banned items and having a electronic design for production of guns – a crime in various jurisdictions.

“Those 3D printed components might appear colourful, but they are serious items. After construction, they become deadly arms – completely illegal and extremely dangerous,” a senior police official said in a statement. “For this purpose we’re focusing on the full supply chain, from fabrication tools to imported parts.

“Citizen protection sits at the core of our firearms licensing system. Gun owners must be licensed, firearms have to be recorded, and conformity is mandatory.”

Growing Issue of DIY Guns

Statistics gathered during an inquiry shows that over the past five years over 9,000 guns have been lost to theft, and that this year, police executed recoveries of DIY weapons in nearly all state and territory.

Court records show that the computer blueprints being manufactured within the country, powered by an online community of creators and enthusiasts that promote an “absolute freedom to keep and bear arms”, are increasingly reliable and dangerous.

During the last several years the development has been from “very novice, minimally functional, practically single-use” to more advanced guns, authorities stated at the time.

Customs Seizures and Digital Transactions

Parts that are not easily additively manufactured are frequently purchased from online retailers internationally.

A high-ranking border official said that over 8,000 illicit firearms, components and attachments had been found at the customs checkpoint in the last financial year.

“Imported gun components are often put together with additional privately manufactured pieces, forming hazardous and untraceable firearms making their way to our communities,” the official said.

“Many of these items are offered by e-commerce sites, which could result in individuals to mistakenly think they are permitted on shipment. Many of these websites simply place orders from international on the buyer’s behalf without any considerations for import regulations.”

Other Seizures In Several Regions

Confiscations of objects such as a bow weapon and incendiary device were also made in Victoria, the WA region, Tasmania and the the NT, where police stated they discovered multiple homemade firearms, along with a additive manufacturing device in the distant settlement of a specific location.