Fake guns, gel blasters: Amnesty called in Manningham, Knox, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges

Illegal fake guns and dangerous gel blasters are being seized from crooks at an alarming rate across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

A gun amnesty has been called after an alarming spike in fake weapons being seized across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Drug dealers, crop house owners and youths in Manningham have been among those caught with fake guns and gel blasters by local police in the past six months.

Detectives have seized more than 20 of the illegal firearms in 16 incidents, which have led to multiple arrests and at least four people being charged.

The fake guns, along with parts and ammunition, have been found in suburbs including Bulleen, Templestowe and Doncaster.

Detectives in Melbourne’s outer east have also seized “dozens” of the fake guns across Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.

Manningham detective Senior Sergeant Rohan Courtis said the most recent seizure in his area was from a youth at a Bulleen home on October 24.

He said officers also moved in on a prohibited owner in Doncaster on August 3, while gel blasters were also found during drug raids at homes in Templestowe on May 14 and Bulleen on February 4.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said the fake guns were used in a “vast variety of crimes” and usually ordered online and shipped in from overseas.

“They’re not a harmless toy, and they have been used to scare people in aggravated burglaries and house invasions … and by drug dealers both as a protective mechanism and standover tactic,” Sen-Sgt Courtis said.

“They are quite prevalent in society at the moment and we want to reduce those numbers and completely eliminate them.”

Croydon detective Senior Sergeant Jim Sutherland confirmed the seizure of fake guns and gel blasters were on the rise, with officers often coming across illegal caches when they pulled over cars and carried out drug raids in Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges.

Sen-Sgt Sutherland said officers had become “increasingly mindful” to look for the weapons when conducting their operations.

“The thing about them is they are extremely lifelike, and people who choose to have them are putting themselves and general public in danger,” he said.

A national gun amnesty which covers gel blasters and imitation firearms began in July.

Owners are being encouraged to surrender the weapons anonymously, without fear of prosecution, at their nearest licensed firearm dealer or by arranging an appointment at their local police station.

Penalties for possessing, using or carrying an imitation firearm include up to two years’ jail for a non-prohibited person and up to 10 years’ jail for a prohibited person.