Tasmania Police joined with law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand as hundreds of firearms were seized during a week of coordinated action targeting illegal firearms and removing them from the community.
The national week of action ran from 19 to 25 October, with participating federal agencies including the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Home Affairs and Australian Defence Force.
Nationally, results included:
• 603 whole firearms seized
• 1479 firearm parts, accessories and magazines
• 61 privately manufactured or 3D printed firearms
• 1207 privately manufactured or 3D printed firearm parts
• 808 gel blasters or imitation firearms.
In Tasmania, members of Taskforce Raven executed a search warrant at a private residence in West Launceston, locating and seizing a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle and a privately manufactured firearm, as well as a quantity of ammunition.
A 31-year-old West Launceston man was arrested and charged with offences including possession of stolen firearms, possess a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued, fail to take all precautions to ensure safekeeping of firearm and shorten firearm to less than 65cm in length.
The man was also charged with minor drugs offences.
He was bailed to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on
23 December, 2026.
Of the 603 whole firearms seized nationally, 115 were seized in Victoria, 54 in New South Wales, 52 in South Australia, 84 in Queensland, 114 in Western Australia, 81 in the Northern Territory and 13 in Tasmania. Other participating agencies also contributed to the national total.
Tasmania Police Inspector Troy Morrisby, chair of the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, said the national operation reinforced that illicit firearms remain a significant threat to public safety.
“The rise of privately manufactured firearms and 3D-printed weapons is changing the landscape, providing criminals with alternative pathways to acquire illicit firearms,” he said.
“The collective achievements of police and law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand demonstrate the power of multi-agency partnerships, intelligence-led policing and a shared determination to disrupt those who seek to manufacture, traffic, and use these weapons to threaten community safety.
“We believe the results this week send a clear message that those involved will be identified and targeted.”
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report at www.crimestopperstas.com.au
