A Brisbane man is scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates' Court today (4 September, 2026), charged with allegedly supplying gel blaster firearms and parts to customers around Australia.
An investigation began in April, 2022, after the AFP executed a search warrant at a residence in Isabella Plains, ACT, and found gel blaster firearms and parts in a package that had been sent from Queensland.
This warrant was executed following the identification of international purchases conducted referencing firearms and manufacturing equipment.
While gel blasters are classified as prohibited weapons in every state and territory except Queensland, it is illegal to transfer firearms and/or firearm parts through the postal system from Queensland to other states or territories.
Using information obtained during the initial warrant, AFP officers were able to develop an intelligence profile on the scale and scope of gel blaster firearms and components being distributed around Australia.
On 27 August, 2025, AFP officers, with assistance from members of the Queensland Police Service, executed search warrants at businesses allegedly linked to the interstate supply of gel blaster firearms in Brisbane and Toowoomba, QLD.
During these warrants, police located numerous computers from which transaction data allegedly identified the interstate purchase and distribution of gel blaster firearms and parts.
The Heathwood man, 38, was served a summons on 7 July, 2026, charged with two counts of taking or sending a firearm or firearm part across borders, contrary to section 360.3 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
He initially appeared in Brisbane Magistrates' Court on 7 August, 2026 and is scheduled to next appear today (4 September, 2026).
Detective Superintendent Jen Cullen said it was crucial for people to understand the laws around gel blasters.
"While gel blaster firearms are legal to possess in Queensland, they are classified as prohibited weapons in all other states and territories," Det Supt Cullen said.
"Gel blasters pose a significant risk to the public and to law enforcement as they are often indistinguishable from real firearms, and can be used to create fear, intimidate, or commit crimes.
"The AFP takes matters involving gel blasters seriously and have the resources to identify offenders who seek to profit from the sale or distribution of these items.
"Anyone not living in Queensland who has a gel blaster is urged to surrender it to police immediately - illegally possessing a gel blaster can be met with severe legal ramifications."
