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Law enforcement confiscated more than 1,000 guns and firearm components as part of a operation aimed at the spread of unlawful firearms in the country and New Zealand.

Cross-Border Initiative Results in Detentions and Confiscations

This extended cross-border initiative culminated in over 180 apprehensions, based on statements from customs agents, and the seizure of 281 homemade firearms and parts, including items created with three-dimensional printers.

Local Revelations and Apprehensions

Across the state of NSW, authorities discovered several 3D printers together with semi-automatic handguns, ammunition clips and 3D-printed holsters, along with other gear.

Regional law enforcement said they apprehended 45 individuals and took possession of 518 firearms and gun components during the effort. Multiple individuals were faced with crimes among them the manufacture of banned weapons without a licence, bringing in illegal products and having a computer file for manufacture of guns – an offense in some states.

“Such 3D printed components might appear colourful, but they are serious items. Once assembled, they are transformed into dangerous tools – completely illegal and very risky,” an experienced detective said in a announcement. “For this purpose we’re targeting the full supply chain, from printers to overseas components.

“Public safety forms the basis of our weapon control program. Shooters are required to be registered, weapons are obliged to be recorded, and conformity is absolute.”

Rising Issue of Homemade Weapons

Statistics gathered during an inquiry reveals that during the previous five years over 9,000 firearms have been lost to theft, and that in 2025, authorities conducted confiscations of DIY firearms in nearly all state and territory.

Legal documents indicate that the 3D models being manufactured domestically, powered by an digital network of designers and supporters that promote an “complete liberty to possess firearms”, are increasingly reliable and lethal.

In recent few years the pattern has been from “highly unskilled, very low-powered, almost a one-shot weapon” to more advanced weapons, law enforcement said previously.

Customs Seizures and Online Sales

Components that are difficult to additively manufactured are often purchased from e-commerce sites overseas.

A senior customs agent commented that in excess of 8,000 illicit guns, pieces and add-ons had been discovered at the frontier in the last financial year.

“Overseas weapon pieces are often put together with additional privately manufactured pieces, forming hazardous and unmarked weapons appearing on our streets,” the officer said.

“Many of these goods are offered by e-commerce sites, which could result in people to incorrectly assume they are permitted on entry. Numerous of these websites simply place orders from international on the buyer’s behalf lacking attention for customs laws.”

Further Recoveries Throughout Several Regions

Seizures of objects including a crossbow and incendiary device were additionally conducted in the southeastern state, the western territory, the southern isle and the the central territory, where law enforcement stated they located several DIY weapons, as well as a additive manufacturing device in the remote town of Nhulunbuy.