Nyah man expected to be charged after police allegedly uncovered a large gun haul

A man is facing multiple charges after police allegedly seized 18 firearms from a property in northern Victoria, issuing a warning to all gun owners after the Texas shooting tragedy.

A 49-year-old man is expected to be charged with a string of offences after police allegedly seized 18 firearms from a property at Nyah in northern Victoria, as part of an operation focusing on firearm compliance.

Police have reminded all Victorian gun owners to be responsible following the shooting death of 19 students and two staff members in Texas on Tuesday.

Swan Hill uniform police, supported by detectives from Swan Hill and Mildura, carried out a number of firearm storage compliance checks at properties across the Swan Hill area on May 15.

While visiting an address on the Murray Valley Highway at Nyah, police allegedly found a number of unsecured firearms, several loaded firearms, unsecured ammunition, and a silencer.

The gun safe at the property was also allegedly not secured to the ground, and there was no alarm or security system fitted, which is required by law.

Police allegedly seized 18 registered firearms, ammunition, and a silencer.

A Nyah man is expected to be charged via summons with numerous firearms offences, including licenced person fail to store longarm firearm correctly, licenced person fail to store ammunition correctly, and possess silencer without a permit.

The man’s firearms licence has also been suspended.

Swan Hill Leading Senior Constable Craig Beasy said it was a timely reminder to gun owners about safety requirements.

“You absolutely must ensure your firearms are stored in the appropriate manner, or they will be seized and your licence will be suspended,” he said.

“Unsecured firearms are sitting ducks for serious criminals, so we make no apologies for regularly checking how owners are storing their firearms to make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

From August 30, new firearm storage minimum standards will be enforced across Victoria.

All licensed firearm owners, including Category A and B, must store their firearms in storage units made of steel at least 1.6mm thick that is purpose built, has a sturdy lock and, if less than 150kg when empty, must be bolted to the structure of the premises.