On Wednesday 25 August 2010 officers from Western Drug Investigation Services and Devonport CIB conducted two searches in the Ulverstone area which resulted in the seizure of 26 firearms and a large amount of ammunition.

Two males, aged 43 years and 56 years, have been interviewed by police in relation to their alleged possession of the firearms and ammunition. Both will appear in the Devonport Court of Petty Sessions at a later date charged with multiple firearm offences.

Amongst the firearms seized were two firearms which were allegedly stolen from Boat Harbour in March 2010. Police also seized a small revolver, a cut down fully automatic silenced .22 rifle, two cut down fully automatic .22 Ruger rifles and a sawn off shot gun. The shot gun was allegedly stolen from Devonport in 2004. 
 

Police would like to take this opportunity to reinforce the penalties that may be applied by the courts upon conviction for offences under the Firearms Act 1996. In relation to shortening a firearm to a length less than 65 centimetres or possessing a shortened firearm the penalty is a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.

The same penalty maybe applied by the court in relation to altering the construction and action of a firearm, whilst not the holder of a firearms dealer licence and for offences in relation to the possession of silencers and unlawful detachable magazines (capable of holding multiple rounds as described in the Act).

The above mentioned penalties highlight the seriousness in which those offences are regarded by the community.

Police would also like to remind the public of the general amnesty which is contained within section 129 of the Firearms Act 1996, namely:

Where any person –
(a) who is not authorised under this Act to have possession of a firearm has possession of a firearm; or
(b) has possession of a firearm which that person is not authorised to possess under this Act

and that person voluntarily brings the firearm to a police station and surrenders it to the Commissioner, no action is to be taken against that person in respect of any offence relating to the unauthorised possession of the firearm by that person.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296