Firearms seized

BUNYIP, Officer and Cockatoo were among the 30 locations throughout Victoria where Police seized firearms from Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang (OMCG) members.
Last Thursday Echo Taskforce detectives seized 109 firearms across 30 locations throughout Victoria including registered and a small number of unregistered firearms. A pen pistol was also uncovered, hidden inside one of the firearms.
The inspections were conducted after Victoria Police intelligence holdings identified these firearms licence holders as confirmed patched members of OMCGs.
The seizures also took place in Doveton, St Arnaud, Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Hadfield, North Ballarat, Kyneton, Wodonga (various suburbs), Traralgon, Melton South, Yarragon, St Andrews, Lalor, Mill Park, Benalla, Baddaginnie, Tallarook, Belmont, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, St Kilda, Coburg, Tullamarine, Springhurst, Pennyroyal, and Kilsyth.
A member of Victoria Police can suspend the licence of a Firearms Licence Holder if they believe the person is an unfit or improper person to hold a firearms licence.
Assistant Commissioner Crime Steve Fontana said Victoria Police was taking action against those who used firearms and violence or intimidation to commit crimes. “Historically OMCGs have traded on the representation of violence, fear or the threat there of, and we want to ensure they don’t have access to firearms whether legally or illegally,” he said.
“We don’t believe it’s right that a club, for instance, the Hells Angels, can get ready access to 38 registered firearms – this is simply intolerable and we don’t think the community would think this is proper.”
The seizures were carried out by members of Echo Taskforce and supported by the Crime Department and regional investigators across the state.
Echo Taskforce detectives will continue to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with The Firearms Act regulations.