🔗 Share this article Massive Illicit Guns Crackdown Leads to More than 1,000 Items Confiscated in NZ and Australia Authorities have seized over 1,000 firearms and firearm components during a operation aimed at the proliferation of illegal firearms in the country and the island nation. International Effort Culminates in Arrests and Confiscations A seven-day international initiative resulted in in excess of 180 arrests, based on statements from customs agents, and the recovery of 281 privately manufactured firearms and pieces, including units created with 3D printers. State-Level Finds and Apprehensions In New South Wales, law enforcement discovered several three-dimensional printers in addition to glock-style pistols, cartridge holders and custom-made holders, in addition to various pieces. State police stated they apprehended 45 people and confiscated 518 guns and firearm parts during the effort. Several persons were charged with violations such as the creation of prohibited firearms without a licence, shipping banned items and having a digital blueprint for creation of guns – a crime in some states. “These additively manufactured parts may look bright, but they are serious items. When put together, they are transformed into deadly arms – entirely illicit and very risky,” a high-ranking officer said in a release. “For this purpose we’re focusing on the complete pipeline, from printers to overseas components. “Citizen protection forms the basis of our firearms licensing system. Firearm users need to be licensed, guns have to be recorded, and compliance is non-negotiable.” Growing Phenomenon of Homemade Weapons Information obtained for an investigation indicates that in the last half-decade more than 9,000 weapons have been taken illegally, and that in 2025, authorities conducted confiscations of privately manufactured weapons in nearly all administrative division. Court records indicate that the 3D models being manufactured in Australia, powered by an internet group of developers and advocates that promote an “complete liberty to possess firearms”, are more dependable and lethal. During the last few years the development has been from “very novice, very low-powered, practically single-use” to more advanced weapons, police reported previously. Customs Discoveries and Web-Based Transactions Components that cannot be reliably 3D-printed are commonly acquired from e-commerce sites overseas. A high-ranking customs agent stated that in excess of 8,000 illegal firearms, components and accessories had been discovered at the frontier in the previous fiscal year. “Overseas weapon pieces can be constructed with other privately manufactured pieces, creating dangerous and unregistered weapons appearing on our neighborhoods,” the agent stated. “Many of these items are being sold by online retailers, which may lead users to mistakenly think they are unregulated on import. Many of these websites simply place orders from international acting as an intermediary with no regard for import regulations.” Further Seizures In Various Areas Seizures of items including a crossbow and fire projector were also made in the southeastern state, the WA region, the southern isle and the the NT, where authorities stated they located several DIY guns, in addition to a 3D printer in the remote town of Nhulunbuy.