Chilling warning over 3D-printed guns flooding Australia amid crackdown

Law enforcement person warned "the threat is real" arsenic expanding numbers of precocious quality, high-power home-made and 3D printed guns flood into Australia.

A multi-agency cognition led by nan Australian Border Force and spanning each authorities and territory successful Australia arsenic good arsenic New Zealand, saw constabulary prosecute successful a week-long crackdown connected forbidden guns astir nan country.

ABF Commander Graeme Campbell said astir nan country, constabulary had made 184 arrests and laid 854 charges.

They seized 719 full guns, 489 firearm parts, 64 imitation firearms, and 281 3D-printed aliases privately made firearms and parts.

Campbell said galore of home-made and 3D-printed guns and parts were intercepted astatine nan separator from a wide scope of overseas sources.

In NSW alone, constabulary executed 20 warrants betwixt October 13 and October 19.

In total, 45 group were arrested, 206 charges laid, and 270 guns seized.

Police besides collected 89 weapon parts, 19 imitation guns, 10 home-made aliases 3D-printed guns and 130 home-made aliases 3D-printed weapon parts.

The home-made firearms were a awesome attraction of nan operation, and were progressive successful immoderate of nan biggest busts.

Just earlier 7am connected Monday, October 13, constabulary carried retired a hunt warrant successful Hinchinbrook, Sydney, wherever they allegedly recovered a 3D printer attempting to people a weapon part.

Officers besides allegedly seized galore different firearm parts, electronics, and crypto-currency wallets.

A 41-year-old man was arrested astatine nan segment and charged pinch aggregate firearm-related offences.

The adjacent day, connected Tuesday, October 14, successful a hunt warrant successful Gosford northbound of Sydney, constabulary seized different 3D printer and 3 home-made Glock-style pistols, magazines, holsters, and different items.

A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged pinch 14 gun-related offences.

NSW Police Detective Superintendent John Watson said nan value of nan guns was expanding and newer models had displayed semi-automatic and high-powered capabilities.

"Privately manufactured firearms coming a fast-evolving challenge, but this cognition shows what's imaginable erstwhile agencies collaborate effectively," he said.

Watson said galore group who were progressive successful 3D-printing guns and weapon parts whitethorn not moreover beryllium alert they were breaking nan law, and that they were much willing successful nan technology.

Others whitethorn beryllium licensed firearm holders pinch an liking successful nan guns.

Watson said a nationalist acquisition run was needed to pass specified group distant from printing aliases privately manufacturing guns, which is highly illegal, moreover if nan limb is non-functioning.

He said constabulary wanted to attraction connected "the existent threat" of nan guns successful nan hands of organised crime and outlaw motorcycle pack elements.

And he said location was "no question" alleged sovereign citizens and "doomsday preppers" were making usage of nan technology.

"The threat is real. The threat is correct crossed Australia," he said.

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