‘Refused Bail’: Police Seize 27 Guns and Thousands of Rounds of Ammunition in NSW

It is illegal to possess a gun in NSW without a licence and a genuine reason. Meanwhile, police also conducted a knife scanning operation with new powers.

A diptych of two supplied images of a series of guns seized from a Sydney home in NSW obtained on Dec. 13, 2024. AAP Image/Supplied by NSW Police

New South Wales Police have seized 27 firearms, 45 prohibited weapons, and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a raid on a Sydney property.

In NSW, it is illegal to possess a firearm, prohibited firearm, pistol, or ammunition without a licence. In order to obtain a firearms licence (pdf) in the state, an individual must have a genuine reason for possessing and using a firearm.

The operation followed an investigation that led police to a home in Denistone East, north of Sydney, on Dec. 12.

A search warrant uncovered more than 70 weapons, including the guns, which have been seized for forensic examination.

A 41 year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple offences, including allegedly possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, illegal importation of tier one and tier two goods, and multiple counts of failure to comply with storage requirements.

The man was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Dec. 13.

Knife Scanning Operation

Meanwhile, NSW Police have charged ten people in their first operation under new knife scanning legislation that came into force on Dec. 9.

The new police wanding powers allowing police to use handheld scanners to search for knives.

Police ran Operation Ares from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Central Railway Station, with the involvement of 30 police officers.

The police declared Central Station precinct as a designated area under part 4A of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

Over the course of the operation, the police stopped and scanned 382 people using hand-held devices, of which 12 were searched. The police located and seized five knives and four prohibited weapons. Ten people were arrested and charged.

On Dec. 9, NSW Premier Chris Minns warned residents they could be caught at train stations if they go out carrying a knife.

“To send a strong message to young people in particular, if you’re going to go out at night, don’t take a knife with you because there’s a very good chance, you’ll be wanded or scanned at a New South Wales train station,” he said.

“I have no doubt that these reforms will save lives, because people will think twice about carrying a knife with them.”

Mark Speakman, the NSW Opposition leader, called for these laws in April following the Bondi stabbing rampage and stabbing of a Bishop at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley.

“The powers should be designed in the interests of public safety and to protect people who are lawfully going about their everyday lives. There are many circumstances where these powers would enhance public safety,” the Opposition said at the time.