Police have arrested two men and seized a stash of illegal weapons, including six homemade pistols, as part of an assault investigation in the state’s north-west.
The investigation began after a 45-year-old man was seriously injured during an assault at a Lower Barrington home on Sunday, September 14.
A 40-year-old man was arrested in Beechford on September 19 and charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
He was held in custody to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court.
When police later searched a Beechford property, they allegedly uncovered an arsenal of illegal firearms.
The haul included a sawn-off shotgun, a rifle, six homemade pistols, an antique pistol, two gel blasters and two crossbows – one of them also homemade.
A 53-year-old man, who police say was not involved in the assault, has been charged with multiple firearms offences.
These include possessing a firearm without a licence, possessing a shortened firearm, possessing a crossbow and dealing in firearms without a dealer’s licence.
He was bailed to appear before the Launceston Magistrates Court in October.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said every illegal firearm was a concern.
“Firearms, particularly homemade ones, are unpredictable and extremely dangerous,” she said. “They pose a significant threat to the community.”
Elmer said Tasmania has a permanent firearms amnesty, which allows people to hand in illegal or unwanted weapons without facing prosecution for possession.
The amnesty covers firearms, firearm parts, ammunition and gel blasters that look like real guns.
