An Auto Sear is a few ounces of metal that converts a specific semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun.
More than 5,400 illegally imported guns and parts have been intercepted by the Australian Border Force in the past two and a half years. These include hand guns, rifles, shotguns and black powder firearms sent from regions including Asia and the USA. Silencers are among the most common accessories being imported into our country. Often firearms are broken into parts before being shipped to Australia in an effort to keep them concealed. Gun dealers go to great lengths to conceal them, including hiding them inside toys.
An investigation is underway after a huge stash of guns vanished a month ago while in the possession of Morrows Logistics, a Melbourne transport company specialising in dangerous and hazardous goods. It is feared that by now they have made it into the underworld.
Last month, Operation Athena – a collaborative and national law enforcement group comprising of police from jurisdictions across Australia with assistance from Federal agencies including the ABF and Australian Federal Police (AFP)- Â undertook a national week of action across Australia to target the trafficking and use of illicit firearms. A number of operations were executed in conjunction with the week of action which ran from 15-21 March.
The issue has become a national law enforcement priority. The ABF has ramped up its border intelligence capability in recent years, working closely with agencies here in Australia and overseas to build a global web of information about those buying and selling illicit firearms and firearm parts.
Operation Athena’s coordinated response to illicit firearms resulted in the following –
- Firearms seized – 823
- Arrests made – 38
- Firearms Prohibition Orders executed – 238
- Search warrants executed – 23
- Safe storage inspections – 1545
- Dealer inspections – 25
A total of 3,769 imported gun parts and accessories, including auto sears, which convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun, have been seized by the ABF since July 2018.
As a licensed Customs Broker and International Freight Forwarder, Colless Young offers correct, professional advice on all your import and export requirements. Based in Brisbane, we provide a complete range of logistics services, both air and sea cargo, through all Australian ports and airports. We handle customs clearance, shipping, trucking, warehousing and fumigation.
