A replica firearm collector has voluntarily handed in 11 gel blasters and 58 magazines to police. Photo: Supplied.
A collector of replica firearms has voluntarily surrendered a cache of gel blasters and magazines after he realised it was illegal to keep the weapons.
The stockpile of 11 gel blasters and 58 magazines were handed over to police after the 21-year-old man saw an ACT Policing post on social media.
The man attended Tuggeranong Police Station on Tuesday, 25 August, where he handed the items over to police. He told officers he was a keen collector of gel blasters, but had only recently become aware the weapons are illegal in the ACT.
An ACT Policing spokesperson said gel blasters – also known as gel-ball blasters – are classified as prohibited firearms in the ACT as they mechanically function as air guns and closely resemble military-style firearms.
A selection of the gel blasters that were surrendered to ACT Policing by a 21-year-old man. Photo: Supplied.
Acting officer in charge of Tuggeranong Police Station, Detective Acting Inspector Simon Coady, said police take matters involving replica firearms very seriously.
“It is encouraging to see the message is getting through regarding the illegal nature of gel blasters,” he said. “These are not toys and if you are in possession of a gel blaster in public, you run the risk of police seeing it as a real firearm.
“Gel blasters are classed as illegal firearms in the ACT and it is illegal to possess them. It is illegal to import them into the ACT, and those who do will face severe penalties.”
People in possession of a gel blaster should surrender them to the ACT Policing Exhibit Management Centre at Mitchell.
Anyone with information about the possession or sale of gel blasters, or other illegal firearms, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
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