Police have charged five people in western NSW during a week of action targeting illegal firearms.
Formerly known as Operation Athena, the National Illicit Firearms Working Group – consisting of police from jurisdictions across Australia, Federal agencies, and NZ Police – co-ordinated a transnational week of action between Monday 13 October and Sunday 19 October 2025.
As part of the statewide operation, officers from western region issued three Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPOs), conducted 21 FPO searches, with 14 charges laid as well as 496 safe storage inspections, of which 44 failed and police are working with Firearm Licence Holders to meet the required standards.
Regional officers located and seized 47 firearms including imitation firearms and privately manufactured or 3D-printed firearms.
Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland APM, Commander Western Region, said firearm security and storage was paramount to ensure the safety of the community and prevent owners from coming under adverse notice.
"The importance of firearm owners keeping their weapons safe, secure and ensuring they are compliant with their licence conditions cannot be overstated," said Assistant Commissioner Holland APM.
"If a firearm is stolen due to it not being correctly stored it can result in serious criminal charges against the owner."
"Whilst I am pleased to say that most premises inspected were complying with the legislation, it was disappointing to see some weren't. One firearm not properly stored is one too many."
"Operations of this nature will be ongoing and if anyone is unsure on what their obligations are I would urge them to consult the Firearms Registry section of the New South Wales Police Force website."
Incidents of note include:
- Shortly before 9am on Monday 13 October 2025, officers from Chifley Police District executed a search warrant at a home in Portland in relation to ongoing inquiries relating to vehicle thefts. It will be alleged police located two gel blasters – a pistol and rifle – at the premises. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station where he was charged with:
- Possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm
- Possess unregistered firearm-pistol
- Enter dwelling with intent (steal)
- Take & drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal)
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner x 2
The boy was refused bail to appear at a children's court on Tuesday 21 October 2025.
- About 10.40am on Tuesday 14 October 2025, officers from Oxley Police District spoke to a 33-year-old man stopped on an unregistered/uninsured motor bike on Merton Street, Boggabri. It will be alleged the man was the holder of a Learner's Rider Licence and the bike had a larger engine capacity than he was authorised to ride along with the number plate being upside and not displaying L plates. When the man was placed under arrest he allegedly swore at officers. It will be further alleged that a search of the man located an amount of cannabis, several knives and a homemade shotgun. He was taken to Narrabri Police Station and charged with:
- P2 class R drive motor cycle > 660 ml/150 kw/t
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- Use uninsured motor vehicle on road
- Use Class A vehicle number plate obscured/defaced
- Learner drive motor bike/trike not display "L" as prescribed
- Custody of knife in public place - subsequent offence
- Possess prohibited drug
- Possess unregistered unauthorised pistol in public place
- Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm
- Use offensive language in/near public place/school
The Narrabri man was refused bail and is next due to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 3 November 2025.
- About 3.45pm on Friday 17 October 2025, officers from the Proactive Crime Team Central North - acting on information from the public – stopped a vehicle on the Barrier Highway, Hermidale. A search of the vehicle allegedly located a double barrel shotgun and ammunition. The 44-year-old female driver was arrested and taken to Nyngan Police Station where she was charged with:
- Possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm
- Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited
- Possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority
The Victoria woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Nyngan Local Court on Monday 27 October 2025.
STATISTICS
Western Region
Safe storage inspections: 496
FPO Premises: 9
FPO Vehicles: 4
FPO Persons: 8
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FIREARM REQUIREMENTS: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_services/firearms
