Firearms Licence holders are being reminded of the legal consequences associated with the importation of illicit firearms and/or firearm components and the unlawful modification or manufacture of firearms.
On Friday 25 June 2021 officers from the WA Police Force's Licensing Services, Compliance and Inquiry Team and the Australian Border Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Helena Valley. The search warrant was executed as part of an investigation into the importation of items used in the manufacture of firearms, as well as the procurement of large amount of manufacturing tools.
It will be alleged the following items were seized during the search warrant:
- Five x home-made silencers
- Nine x steel barrels comprising of various diameters (imported from China).
- Two x 3D printers
- Three x 3D firearm trigger housings
- Two x 3D firearm housing parts
- Two x homemade metal trigger actions
- Five x firearm rifled barrels
- 6,000 rounds of .22LR ammunition
- Other boxes of .308, .22, .38 and 9mm ammunition
- Various pieces of equipment used to manufacture firearms and/or components of firearms, including a forming press, a lathe, a milling machine, rifling buttons, and two x 300 AAC Blackout finisher reamers for chamber rifle finishing.
In addition to the above items nine licensed firearms (four pistols and five rifles) were seized, pending a review of the Firearms Licence holder's suitability to retain his licence.
- A 31-year-old man from Helena Valley has been charged with
- Unlicensed Manufacture of Firearms/Ammunition
- Possession of contrivance known as a Silencer
- Failed to comply with firearm or ammunition storage requirements
- Possess a Prohibited Drug (Cannabis)
He is due to appear in the Midland Magistrates Court today, Friday 27 August 2021.
Sergeant Sonny Albuquerque from WA Police Force's Licensing Services said while those purely engaged in the procurement of firearms and firearm components for criminal purposes remain the highest priority for detection and prosecution, it is the legitimate Firearms Licence holders that have the most to lose by making poor decisions.
"Those in our community who hold a Firearms Licence do so for specific lawful reasons such as sporting activities, farming and agricultural use, and other activities that are directly linked to their source of income.
"Persons importing illicit firearms or parts to alter their licensed firearms, that render them unlawful, and those who manufacture illegal firearms or parts are committing offences and will be prosecuted. These activities will be considered when reviewing their fitness to hold a firearm licence and may result in them not being eligible to be licensed to possess firearms or may result in their existing licence being revoked.
"As a law enforcement agency, we have a duty to ensure only responsible people obtain and continue to hold a valid Firearms Licence, and engaging in unlawful activity is one way to have that suitability to hold a Firearms License brought into question. It simply isn't worth the risk.
"If there are Firearms Licence holders out in the WA community who have purchased illicit firearms or components, and they wish to safely dispose of those items during the current firearms amnesty, I encourage those people to contact their local police station and arrange to hand those items in."
ABF acting Superintendent Investigations WA, Linda Jose said detecting illicit firearms and firearm parts and accessories at the border is a key priority for the ABF.
"The ABF uses highly-trained officers, detector dogs and cutting-edge x-ray technology to identify offences and we will continue to work with partner agencies to combat this criminality.
"People need to understand holding a legitimate firearms licence does not allow you to import firearms or firearms parts without a permit. Anyone considering importing firearms or firearm parts should be very clear about the regulations in place and ensure that they comply with them," acting Superintendent Jose said.
Information about importing firearms/parts legally can be found here.
End Release
27 August 2021.
