More than 2000 firearm prevention orders issued to Victorian criminals since 2018

Since 2018, a key law change has helped police seize thousands of guns and crack down on bikies, Middle-eastern crime figures and the state’s worst young criminals. Here’s how it works.

Senior police figures say firearm prohibition orders have had the most significant impact in combating gun crime in decades.

Since their introduction in May 2018, 2042 active FPOs have been served in Victoria, resulting in more than 4300 charges laid and thousands of weapons seized.

They have been imposed on bikies, Middle-eastern crime figures, the state’s worst youth offenders and domestic violence perpetrators.

They carry 10 year firearm related bans for adults and five for kids above 14-years-old.

The orders allow police to search homes without warrant and prevents people from buying or using firearms, while some even include bans on entering gun stores and shooting ranges.

Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said their introduction has been pivotal in helping police.

Matthew Bruce is one of the many bikies subjected to a Firearm Prohibition Order.

“The FPO program has proven to be very effective and probably the single most

important change in our policing of illicit firearms we have seen in decades,” he said.

“They are a key tool in the rapid disruption of criminal syndicates who are known to be armed with or use illicit firearms.

“When we receive intelligence relating to planned activity or there is an increase in tensions between certain groups, the ability to quickly search for those firearms has

no doubt resulted in preventing people being seriously injured or even killed.”

Orders can be issued to those with a history of firearm offences, as well as people with a violent history.

These also give police powers to search any property the individual with the order is on.

Some of the names serving FPOs include top bikie Toby Mitchell, former Rebels member Jake Spiteri — who used a fake name to order an airsoft pistol on eBay — and Matthew Bruce who carried a machine gun in a guitar case.

A sawn off shotgun seized by Echo Taskforce detectives.

Rebels bikie Matthew Bruce carried a machine gun in a guitar case which he used in a crime wave across Melbourne’s west.

Assistant Commissioner O’Brien said these orders add “very real pressure” on people to steer clear of firearm related crime.

“It’s also about creating greater consequences for these individuals when it comes to firearm related crime and the penalties for breaching the FPO are significant,” he said.

Breaching an FPO carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

“We hear time and time again that these criminals are frustrated by the scrutiny these orders put them under and it does directly impact upon their behaviour.”

Some of the biggest stings this year include a week-long operation in Mildura where 15 FPOs were handed out and several Rebels bikies were arrested.

In July 2023 police located a WW2 Thompson submachine gun among others in an FPO search in Glenroy.

These FPO searches have also allowed police to seize a significant amount of illegal substances, with drugs making up about 30 per cent of items seized.