Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged a man and seized 278 firearms after an inspection of his collection deemed him not to be a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence.
The 60-year-old Brunswick West man was charged on Wednesday (13 March) with 13 counts of possess unregistered firearm, traffick firearms and 17 counts of fail to produce firearm upon request.
A notice of Suspension of Firearms Licence with intention to cancel was also served on him.
The man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 May.
Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad first inspected the man’s firearm collection on Tuesday, 27 February.
During the count, police will allege a number of firearms were not registered, could not be identified, were bearing serial numbers which came up to different firearms, and a number of firearms were unable to be located.
Following further investigation into the missing and unaccounted for firearms, an additional inspection was carried out at the Brunswick West address last week (Wednesday, 13 March).
A total of 278 firearms were seized from the property, including revolvers, semi automatic handguns and antique handguns.
The firearms will be stored by police until a judgement regarding their disposal can be made by the court.
Police would like to remind licensed firearms owners to be aware of the legislation with regards to the storage of their firearms.
Further information is available on the Victoria Police website: Firearm storage | Safekeeping of guns and firearms | Victoria Police
Victoria Police undertakes a range of compliance and enforcement activities to ensure those with firearm licences are complying with the conditions of their licence.
Anyone caught breaching the conditions of their licences or failing in their obligations can expect to have their authority cancelled and to be charged or issued with penalty notices.
Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers have recently joined forces in a new campaign aimed at removing illegal firearms from the Victorian community.
The campaign, ‘Say Something Before It’s Too Late,’ raises awareness about the dangers of illegal firearms and urges the public to protect themselves and those around them by reporting what they know to Crime Stoppers.
Recent efforts by Victoria Police resulted in more than 1,500 illegal firearms removed from the hands of criminals in 2023.
The introduction of the Illicit Firearms Squad in 2020 and the VIPER Taskforce in 2022 has enhanced Victoria Police’s ability to combat illegal firearms-related offending, particularly concerning serious and organised crime.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
