AT LEAST 14 illegal guns have been seized by Central Hunter police in the past month, prompting a warning from senior officers across the region.
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Illegal firearms - ranging from rifles to revolvers - have been uncovered by police as well as a large amount of ammunition.
Crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic issued a warning to those who should not have guns in their possession.
The command-wide crackdown follows the arrest of two former outlaw motorcycle gang members over a shooting at North Rothbury earlier in the year.
Following the arrests of the men late last month, police allegedly uncovered several firearms during raids at Ashtonfield.
“I won’t tolerate illegal firearms in this area and I’ll continue to tell our police to focus on and take every opportunity they can to seize firearms,” Inspector Zdrilic told Fairfax. “We will be making a concerted effort to continue to get these guns off the streets.”
Inspector Zdrilic said the majority of the firearms recovered had been seized during search warrants.
“The only reason someone would carry a firearm that is not lawfully registered in your name and stored as per legislation would be for criminal intent, that would be the only reason why they’d have it,” he said.
“If you have a genuine reason to hold a firearm, which you’re entitled to in this country, you need a licence. “Anyone who wants advice in relation to gun ownership should contact police.”
He urged anyone with information on illegal gun possession in their local area to contact police immediately.
He said reporting can be done discreetly or anonymously.