Operation aims at illegal guns

South West police have jumped at the chance to take part in a nationwide operation targeting the seizure of illicit firearms.

Operation Unification started across Australia on Saturday and will finish on June 7 in an effort to get illicit firearms out of the hands of criminals.

Bunbury property manager Sen. Const. Rick Lyon said illicit firearms such as modified guns were an “expensive hobby”.

“We’re always coming across something that proves the dangers of illicit and unlicensed firearms,” he said.

Sen. Const. Lyon said not all firearms were illicit and unlicensed firearms represented many of the firearms South West police seized.

“A lot are seized as part of violence retraining orders or on police orders,” Sen. Const. Lyon said.

One of the problems with unlicensed firearms is owners purchase them from interstate and do not realise they have to be licensed.

Bunbury Sgt Lou Williams said the more illicit and unlicensed firearms police got off the street, the better it was for the community.

“This is a nationwide operation, so it is obviously a concern for all our regions,” he said.

“If police across the country all do the same thing, the better it will be for all.”

The WA portion of Operation Unification kicked off with a massive illegal firearms seizure in Caversham in Perth last week.

The 26 illegal firearms were seized from one tip off.

Sgt Williams said he encouraged anyone who had information about illicit or unlicensed firearms to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.