🔗 Share this article Large-Scale Illicit Weapons Operation Leads to Over 1,000 Items Confiscated in New Zealand and Down Under Police taken possession of over 1,000 firearms and firearm components during a sweep targeting the proliferation of illegal guns in the nation and its neighbor. Cross-Border Operation Culminates in Arrests and Seizures A seven-day international effort culminated in over 180 detentions, as reported by customs agents, and the recovery of 281 homemade weapons and parts, among them items made by additive manufacturing devices. State-Level Finds and Apprehensions Across the state of NSW, authorities found numerous additive manufacturing devices alongside pistols of a certain design, magazines and custom-made holders, along with other gear. State authorities said they detained 45 individuals and confiscated 518 guns and weapon pieces in the course of the initiative. Numerous individuals were charged with violations including the manufacture of banned guns unlicensed, shipping banned items and having a digital blueprint for creation of firearms – a crime in various jurisdictions. “These additively manufactured parts may look colourful, but they are not toys. Once assembled, they are transformed into deadly arms – completely illegal and extremely dangerous,” a high-ranking officer commented in a statement. “For this purpose we’re aiming at the full supply chain, from manufacturing devices to foreign pieces. “Community security sits at the core of our weapon control program. Shooters are required to be registered, firearms have to be registered, and compliance is non-negotiable.” Rising Issue of Privately Made Firearms Information collected during an inquiry indicates that during the previous five years over 9,000 guns have been reported stolen, and that this year, police executed recoveries of DIY firearms in nearly all state and territory. Judicial files indicate that the 3D models being manufactured within the country, fuelled by an internet group of creators and enthusiasts that advocate for an “unlimited right to keep and bear arms”, are increasingly reliable and deadly. In recent few years the trend has been from “very novice, barely operational, practically single-use” to superior firearms, police reported earlier. Immigration Seizures and Online Sales Parts that are difficult to 3D-printed are frequently acquired from digital stores abroad. A high-ranking border official commented that over 8,000 illicit firearms, components and add-ons had been discovered at the border in the previous fiscal year. “Overseas weapon pieces can be constructed with other homemade pieces, producing dangerous and untraceable firearms appearing on our neighborhoods,” the official said. “Many of these products are available for purchase by e-commerce sites, which may lead individuals to incorrectly assume they are permitted on import. Many of these websites simply place orders from abroad on the buyer’s behalf without any considerations for import regulations.” Further Seizures Across Various Areas Recoveries of objects among them a bow weapon and flame-thrower were further executed in the state of Victoria, the western territory, the southern isle and the Northern Territory, where authorities reported they located several homemade firearms, as well as a additive manufacturing device in the isolated community of the named area.