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Police have seized over 1,000 firearms and gun parts in a crackdown aimed at the circulation of illicit firearms in the country and New Zealand.

Cross-Border Effort Results in Detentions and Seizures

This extended transnational initiative culminated in in excess of 180 detentions, based on statements from border officials, and the recovery of 281 homemade weapons and parts, including units created with 3D printers.

Regional Revelations and Arrests

Across the state of NSW, police found several additive manufacturing devices together with pistols of a certain design, ammunition clips and custom-made holders, among other items.

State authorities said they detained 45 people and confiscated 518 firearms and weapon pieces during the initiative. Multiple suspects were charged with crimes including the production of banned firearms without a licence, bringing in prohibited goods and possessing a electronic design for production of weapons – a crime in some states.

“Such fabricated pieces may look colourful, but they are far from playthings. Once assembled, they are transformed into dangerous tools – entirely illicit and very risky,” a senior police official commented in a release. “This is the reason we’re focusing on the full supply chain, from fabrication tools to overseas components.

“Public safety is the foundation of our firearms licensing system. Gun owners are required to be authorized, weapons must be recorded, and adherence is absolute.”

Increasing Issue of Homemade Guns

Information obtained for an investigation reveals that over the past five years in excess of 9,000 firearms have been taken illegally, and that in 2025, law enforcement executed recoveries of DIY guns in almost every regional jurisdiction.

Legal documents show that the 3D models currently produced in Australia, fuelled by an digital network of developers and supporters that promote an “complete liberty to possess firearms”, are more dependable and dangerous.

In recent few years the pattern has been from “extremely amateur, minimally functional, nearly disposable” to higher-quality weapons, law enforcement stated previously.

Immigration Interceptions and Web-Based Transactions

Pieces that cannot be reliably fabricated are often ordered from digital stores abroad.

A high-ranking customs agent said that in excess of 8,000 illicit firearms, parts and accessories had been found at the customs checkpoint in the previous fiscal year.

“Overseas weapon pieces can be constructed with additional homemade parts, producing hazardous and untraceable weapons making their way to our communities,” the official stated.

“Numerous of these products are offered by online retailers, which may lead individuals to wrongly believe they are permitted on import. Many of these platforms just process purchases from abroad for the customer with no regard for import regulations.”

Further Recoveries In Various Territories

Seizures of items such as a bow weapon and flame-thrower were additionally conducted in the state of Victoria, Western Australia, the southern isle and the the NT, where authorities stated they discovered several DIY firearms, along with a additive manufacturing device in the isolated community of the named area.