Fake firearms aimed at people in Palmerston shopping centre carpark

CHARGES are expected to be laid against a group of men who were pointing replica automatic assault rifles at pedestrians while driving around a Darwin suburb last night

Three replica weapons seized by NT Police from a group of men at a Palmerston shopping centre on the evening of Tuesday December 4 2018. Picture: NT PFES

UPDATE: CHARGES are expected to be laid against a group of men who were pointing replica automatic assault rifles and yelling abuse at pedestrians while driving around Durack Tuesday night, before NT Police intervened.

A NT Police spokeswoman said they are investigating an incident last night where five people were reportedly in a public place with firearms.

“Palmerston police responded to a triple-0 call in Durack with the caller stating that a group of persons travelling in a vehicle pointed firearms at a pedestrian and yelled abuse at him,” she said.

“Police arrived and observed two males in the vehicle and three outside the vehicle. One of the males was found to have a firearm in his possession. After searching the area, the members located two more automatic firearms.”

The weapons seized are known as gel blaster, airsoft, hydro blaster or gel ball firearms.

“Under the Firearms Act NT, it is illegal to be in possession of these firearms. Non-firing imitation firearms are prohibited under the Weapons Act NT,” the spokeswoman said.

The Northern Territory Police Firearms Policy and Recording Unit (FPRU) is alerting Territorians about the use of these firearms, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.

Senior Sergeant Amee Meredith said the unit has seen a number of these items in the NT recently and last night’s incident is a timely reminder that there are strict laws in place around the possession and use of prescribed firearms and weapons.

“We’ve recently had some of these items surface — all battery-driven, designed to resemble the original version,” she said.

“Some were handgun versions, some were semiautomatic rifles and some fully automatic machine guns.

“Some look exactly like real firearms until you have a closer look at them, and some are made with parts that are interchangeable with real firearms.”

Ms Meredith said they had received inquiries from both members of the public and businesses interested in importing these items.

“But whether they come into your possession for recreational or profit reasons, all versions are prohibited firearms,” she said.

Anyone in possession of these types of firearms can surrender them to their local police station or contact the FPRU.

The investigation into last night’s incident is ongoing and charges are expected to be laid.

EARLIER: FIVE young men were brandishing realistic replica guns, including two fake automatic weapons, and aiming them at members of the public in a Durack shopping centre carpark last night.

Territory Duty Superintendent Bruce Payne said just before midnight Tuesday NT Police were called to a general disturbance in the Palmerston area involving five males aged between 20 and 30 years.

“On attendance they were approached by a member of the public who advised them that the group was in possession of some firearms and they were pointing them at people,” he said.

“When police approached, a member of the group quickly handed over a replica pistol and a when police searched the area they located two replica automatic weapons.”

The replica firearms were from the “gel blaster” range, which are toy firearms that are similar in nature to a paintball gun or an airsoft gun and can fire small gel balls or capsules.

Supt Payne said NT Police were continuing to investigate assault and weapons offences.

“Possession of these types of replica firearms is an offence, under the Weapons Control Act,” he said.

Supt Payne said the guns appeared extremely realistic.

“It is a timely reminder to the public that possession of these types of replica firearms is an offence and there are possible implications of pointing these at other people.”