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Police have seized in excess of 1,000 firearms and firearm components in a sweep targeting the spread of illegal firearms in the country and New Zealand.

Cross-Border Initiative Leads to Detentions and Recoveries

A seven-day transnational initiative culminated in in excess of 180 apprehensions, as reported by immigration authorities, and the confiscation of 281 privately manufactured firearms and parts, such as items made by three-dimensional printers.

State-Level Discoveries and Arrests

Across the state of NSW, authorities located numerous three-dimensional printers together with semi-automatic handguns, ammunition clips and fabricated carrying cases, in addition to various pieces.

State authorities stated they apprehended 45 people and took possession of 518 guns and weapon pieces in the course of the initiative. Several persons were faced with violations among them the production of illegal firearms without proper authorization, importing illegal products and having a computer file for creation of firearms – an offense in certain regions.

“Such 3D printed components may look bright, but they are not toys. When put together, they become dangerous tools – entirely illicit and highly hazardous,” a senior police official said in a announcement. “That’s why we’re focusing on the complete pipeline, from fabrication tools to imported parts.

“Citizen protection is the foundation of our weapon control program. Shooters need to be authorized, firearms have to be registered, and conformity is non-negotiable.”

Rising Phenomenon of DIY Guns

Data obtained during an investigation shows that in the last half-decade over 9,000 weapons have been lost to theft, and that in 2025, law enforcement executed recoveries of privately manufactured guns in nearly all state and territory.

Court records reveal that the digital designs now created in Australia, driven by an digital network of developers and enthusiasts that support an “complete liberty to own and carry weapons”, are increasingly reliable and deadly.

In recent several years the development has been from “extremely amateur, very low-powered, almost a one-shot weapon” to superior weapons, law enforcement stated at the time.

Border Discoveries and Digital Transactions

Pieces that are difficult to additively manufactured are often acquired from digital stores overseas.

An experienced immigration officer said that in excess of 8,000 unlawful guns, pieces and accessories had been detected at the customs checkpoint in the previous fiscal year.

“Overseas firearm parts can be constructed with additional privately manufactured pieces, producing dangerous and unmarked guns appearing on our communities,” the official said.

“Many of these items are being sold by e-commerce sites, which may lead users to wrongly believe they are unregulated on shipment. Many of these platforms only arrange transactions from abroad for the customer without any considerations for import regulations.”

Other Recoveries Throughout Multiple Territories

Confiscations of items among them a crossbow and fire projector were further executed in the southeastern state, Western Australia, the southern isle and the Northern Territory, where law enforcement said they found a number of homemade firearms, in addition to a fabrication tool in the remote town of the named area.