Gun robberies in Melbourne target in-demand handguns

GUN shop thefts of in-demand firearms, especially handguns, are part of a new crime wave in Melbourne as two northern suburbs stores are hit within a year.

Police outside O'Reillys Firearms in Thornbury. Picture: Ian Currie

DAYLIGHT robberies on gun shops are part of a new wave of crime to get in-demand firearms — especially handguns.

Handguns, which can demand up to $10,000 on the black market, were the target of Monday’s robbery, strikingly similar to a similar raid 12 months ago in another northern suburb, South Morang.

There are more than 80 outlets across Victoria that sell firearms.

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web Firearms stolen 650 800

Firearms dealers are classified into three different classes, which specify the type of guns and whether dealers can sell and import firearms or just ­repair them.

But it has been noted a change in tactics from bandits involved robbing gun shops in daylight, instead of at night when the store was shut.

After experiencing an armed robbery on January 23 last year, a staff member at South Morang Hunting, Fishing and Camping said he could empathise with what happened at O’Reilly’s gun shop. And he said it was possible it was the same culprits — who had a silver gun, sledge hammers and came looking for handguns.

The staff member, who did not want to be named, said he was not aware of any charges being laid over the robbery on his store 12 months ago.

“It did strike us as very similar,’’ he said.

“It was in January, around Australia Day before school goes back, roughly the middle of the day and four offenders with a silver handgun. The staff from our store empathise with them.

“We know having experienced it ourselves how they feel. From our point of view you have to rethink your whole security.’’

To deter a repeat, the owners of the South Morang store upgraded its security, including a buzz-in, electronically operated bulletproof door.

Only one person can come in at a time and handguns are no longer stored in a glass display cabinet for all to see.

Police are already battling a high level of illegal gun possession linked to a wave of shootings — particularly in Melbourne’s north.

There has been alarm at the ease with which drug dealers and other crime figures have been able to obtain handguns.

Teenagers linked to non-fatal shootings have also come under scrutiny.

Victoria Police has put more resources into investigating links between gun thefts and organised crime groups.

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