Scary reality of AK-47s in Australia revealed
HUNDREDS of AK-47s military grade rifles could already be in Australia, an expert has revealed. But the reality of how the weapons arrived in the country is even more terrifying.
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HUNDREDS of military grade AK-47s military grade rifles could be in Australia, an expert has revealed.
But the terrifying weapons — which fire 600 rounds a minute — are unlikely to have been imported illegally.
Former Border Force commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said the number of AK-47s in Australia “might run to 1000”.
“That goes across those that are dormant or in collections. And probably some in the hands of crooks,” he said.
“You can punch out several hundred rounds a minute, they’re a scary weapon.
“You don’t need any special training, you can pick one up and be firing it in 20 minutes.”
“Also, because they are such an iconic military weapon, they are a collector’s item of choice around the world. And we’ve got many collectors in Australia,” Mr Quaedvlieg added.
“You can bring them in legally — there are certain steps you have to go through. You have to get a licence and the weapon has got to be made inoperable — but that is easily reversed.
“If they are diverted, which is a euphemism for stolen or sold on the black market then reversing that procedure is quite easy.
“And then obviously, from time to time they are illegally imported in sea cargo containers.”
Mr Quaedvlieg said it was a very small amount which are imported illegally as they stood out on X-rays.
“It’s a minuscule amount that gets imported illegally — it’s more around existing firearms and diversion from collectors.”
He told 3AW that AK-47s had been around for a very long time.
“They were originally built in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. And over time there’s been about 100 million or so manufactured in the global market,” Mr Quaedvlieg said.
“The reason why they are here though is the very reason why they have become a popular choice for military around the world, is because they’re a very durable weapon.
“They are very robust, they’re simple to use and don’t perish easily, so they stay in existence for a long time.
“Through the 50s and 60s it was quite simple to get AK-47s into the country.”
He said the existing market goes back five or six decades. And the durability of the weapon means an AK47 can sit in the shed for 20 or 30 years before they are used.
A TEENAGE boy has been bailed after police allegedly found an AK47 rifle during a raid in Melbourne’s southeast.
Detectives on Tuesday allegedly uncovered one of the military assault weapons during a lunchtime raid on an Oakleigh East property.
An 18-year-old man has been charged with a range of offences including prohibited person possessing imitation firearm and possessing a controlled weapon.
The young man was also charged over the possession of cannabis, breaching an intervention order and failing to provide access to date storage device.
The Oakleigh East man was bailed following his arrest yesterday and will appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on October 10.
It comes less than a week after another AK-47 rifle was found during a series of raids across homes in Melbourne’s southeast.
The military-style weapon was found in a bedroom during a search at one family home, along with imitation guns.
Fourteen suspects were held as police took action on Friday following a recent wave of armed carjackings and home invasions.
All lived with their parents, and police said they were working to establish how they communicated. The crimes were described as “organised”.
The ages of those arrested ranged between 14 and 26, mostly teenagers, and they were of African, Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds.
Police said the group met through school, sports and family groups. A total of seven teenagers have now been charged over the raids, including an 18-year-old Doveton man who has been bailed while facing firearms offences.
Detective Inspector Shayne Pannell said offenders were willing to confront victims at gunpoint to create “unnecessary fear”.
“I’ve been a police officer for quite some years and there has been a change in the type of offending,” he said last week.
“The weapons … enhance that fear. It’s just got to stop. There’s nothing more frightening than what’s occurred.”
The discovery of the AK-47 last week was being probed by the Armed Crime Squad and Insp Pannell said its origin would be a major focus of the investigation.
A Victoria Police spokesman said Tuesday’s arrest was a separate investigation and unrelated to last week’s raids, which occurred at 10 properties across Cranbourne, Pakenham, Dandenong and Narre Warren South.