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Police have seized over 1,000 weapons and firearm components during a operation focusing on the proliferation of unlawful weapons in Australia and New Zealand.

International Operation Leads to Apprehensions and Seizures

This extended cross-border effort led to in excess of 180 apprehensions, as reported by customs agents, and the recovery of 281 DIY firearms and parts, such as items produced using additive manufacturing devices.

Local Discoveries and Detentions

In New South Wales, law enforcement found numerous 3D printers in addition to pistols of a certain design, magazines and fabricated carrying cases, along with other gear.

State authorities stated they detained 45 individuals and took possession of 518 weapons and gun components during the operation. Several persons were charged with crimes such as the manufacture of prohibited firearms without a licence, importing prohibited goods and possessing a digital blueprint for production of weapons – a violation in some states.

“These 3D printed components could seem colourful, but they are far from playthings. Once assembled, they become lethal weapons – totally unlawful and extremely dangerous,” a high-ranking officer said in a release. “For this purpose we’re aiming at the entire network, from printers to imported parts.

“Public safety sits at the core of our gun registration framework. Firearm users need to be licensed, weapons have to be documented, and adherence is non-negotiable.”

Growing Phenomenon of Privately Made Weapons

Data gathered during an inquiry indicates that during the previous five years over 9,000 weapons have been reported stolen, and that this year, law enforcement conducted confiscations of privately manufactured guns in the majority of administrative division.

Court records indicate that the 3D models now created within the country, driven by an online community of developers and advocates that promote an “absolute freedom to own and carry weapons”, are steadily functional and deadly.

In recent several years the trend has been from “very novice, minimally functional, practically single-use” to more advanced weapons, police reported earlier.

Immigration Discoveries and Web-Based Transactions

Pieces that cannot be reliably additively manufactured are often acquired from digital stores overseas.

A high-ranking customs agent commented that more than 8,000 unlawful firearms, pieces and attachments had been detected at the border in the previous fiscal year.

“Imported weapon pieces may be assembled with additional DIY parts, forming risky and untraceable guns making their way to our streets,” the official stated.

“Many of these items are available for purchase by digital stores, which might cause users to incorrectly assume they are permitted on import. A lot of these websites just process purchases from abroad acting as an intermediary lacking attention for import regulations.”

Additional Seizures Across Several Territories

Confiscations of items such as a bow weapon and fire projector were further executed in the state of Victoria, Western Australia, the island state and the Northern Territory, where authorities said they located multiple privately manufactured weapons, as well as a fabrication tool in the isolated community of a specific location.