WWII gun among huge firearm haul

LIVES have been saved as a result of a mass seizure of dangerous weapons, Tasmania Police says.

Since May more than 40 firearms, silencers, a taser and ammunition have been seized as part of an investigation into firearm trafficking.

Detective Inspector Damien George said most recently, on September 1, members of the Crime and Intelligence Command led a search at Parattah for illegal firearms, assisted by members of the Bridgewater CIB, Southern Crime Management Unit, Firearms Services, and the Dog Detection Unit.

“As a result of that search a number of pistols and a submachine gun were located,” Inspector George said.

A 57-year-old Richmond man, who police will allege was operating as a licenced Tasmanian firearms dealer at the time, was charged with unlawful trafficking in firearms and bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in March.

A 63-year-old Parattah man was charged with a number of firearm offences, including unlawful trafficking in firearms and possession of prohibited and unregistered firearms, and was bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in February.

Inspector George said the recovery of the machine gun was troubling.

“That is a prohibited firearm, albeit that it dates back to World War II, it is a machine gun that has the ability to fire significant rounds in very quick succession.”

Effort had gone in to concealing the weapon.