Police from all law enforcement agencies across Australia have this week gathered in Melbourne under Operation Athena to discuss and focus on the increase in privately-made firearms on Australian streets.
Operation Athena is a nationwide operation that targets the trafficking and use of illegal firearms throughout Australia and is a cooperative initiative involving all law enforcement agencies in Australia.
Senior police from all of Australia's law enforcement agencies, intelligence, firearms ballistics and forensic experts, legal academics and industry leaders gathered in Melbourne in October 2024, to address the most significant growing threat to public safety in Australia, privately-made firearms.
Across Australia, the manufacture of privately-made firearms has grown exponentially with hundreds of firearms, and firearms parts, being seized by police across the nation.
These firearms have been found in the possession of organised criminal networks, outlaw motorcycle gangs and street-level criminals and research has shown privately-made firearms are becoming more prevalent, potentially replacing conventional firearms as the weapons of choice for Australian criminals.
Commander of NSW Police Force's Drug and Firearms Squad and Chair of Operation Athena, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said these firearms have infiltrated the streets, homes and communities across Australia, and pose a real and imminent danger to the public.
"Australia has the toughest firearm laws in the world, that's a fact. What these criminals are attempting to do is skirt around these laws and put the public in danger.
"These firearms could be made out of plastic, screws, sometimes a combination of household equipment, and while they may look clownish or even toy-like, the fact is they are genuine and potentially lethal weapons," Det Supt Watson said.
"The goal of this symposium has been to gather all the experts from across Australia and tackle the issue head on to figure out exactly how we disrupt this dangerous and illegal activity.
Spokesperson for Operation Athena, Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood, said that Tasmania has recently introduced strong firearms legislation to include 3D printing of firearms offences.
"We are already seeing the benefits of this legislation," Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.
"Illegal firearms are all dangerous and have the potential to harm or kill. We work closely with our partners in jurisdictions to help keep our community safe," Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.
"Tasmania Police is committed to preventing the importation, manufacture and distribution of illicit firearms in our State by conducting planned and responsive operations accordingly. Of course, we also monitor repeat offenders very closely.
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure we take every opportunity to take illicit firearms off our streets."
Privately-manufactured firearm investigations of note include:
- In July 2024, detectives attached to NSW Police Force's State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad – with assistance from the Department of Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police – launched Strike Force Temarang to investigate the importation and private manufacturing of firearms.
As part of investigations, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant at a home on Swan Drive in Googong, about 7.45am on Thursday 29 August 2024.
During the search, detectives located and seized a loaded Glock pistol, a sawn-off rifle, four replica Glock pistols, four privately-manufactured firearms, multiple firearm magazines and firearm parts, three tasers cartridges, a ballistic vest, multiple flick knives, a cannabis plant and prohibited drugs.
Following further investigations, strike force detective arrested an 18-year-old man at Goulburn Police Station on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
He was charged with three counts of possess unauthorised pistol, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, two counts of possess unregistered pistol, two counts of not keep pistol safely, possess shortened firearm without authority, possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and possess a barrel for a firearm unless authorised.
The man was granted bail to appear before Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
- In October 2023, detectives from Victoria Police's Illicit Firearms Squad commenced an investigation into the online purchasing and supply of firearm parts after a referral from the Australian Border Force.
Following investigations, a warrant was executed at a residential address in Gordon on Thursday 26 October 2023 with assistance from the Dog Squad.
During the search detectives located and seized seven handguns – including four privately made firearms – four rifles, three gel blasters, a homemade flamethrower, over 70 cannabis plants, large amounts of ammunition, privately manufactured firearm parts, a 3D printer and various quantities of drugs of dependence.
A 47-year-old man Gordon man was arrested at the home.
He was interviewed by police and subsequently charged with possess a trafficable quantity of firearms, prohibited persons possess a firearm, manufacture firearm, possess parts for manufacturing a firearm, prohibited person an imitation firearm, prohibited person possess a prohibited weapon, possess cartridge ammunition, cultivate cannabis, possess cannabis and possess methylamphetamine.
He was bailed to appear at Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday 17 October 2024.
- In April 2024, detectives from Tasmania Police's Northern CIB searched a residence in Newnham where officers located a taser and a 3D printing machine where they also located blueprint files to be able to print parts to Glock pistols.
Consequently a 24-year-old woman was taken into custody and charged with a number of firearm related offences, including possessing digital blueprints for the manufacture of firearms
She appeared in an out of hours court session where bail was refused.
- On 7 October 2024, Tasmanian Police Officers based in the greater Hobart area were in pursuit of a 28-year-old man on foot after he fled a routine traffic interception.
Upon police apprehending the man, a 3D printed .22 calibre handgun he was carrying fell to the ground. Upon inspection, the firearm was loaded.
The man was arrested and placed before the court on a number of charges, including unlawful possession of a loaded firearm. He was refused bail.
