NT Police defends seizing ‘replica firearm’ in Nerf gun, chilli oil raid on Alice Springs shooter

NT Police has defended seizing a toy gun from a Territory shooter, describing the Nerf blaster as a ‘replica firearm’.

UPDATE JUNE 17: NT POLICE has defended seizing a toy gun from a Territory recreational shooter, describing the Nerf blaster as a “replica firearm”.

Police raided the home of Alice Springs man Ron Sterry in April seizing chemicals a later analysis showed to be “consistent with water” and other innocuous substances.

In a video posted online earlier this month, Mr Sterry said the officers had also whisked away what he described as “a Nerf Recon, part of the N-Strike series”.

“It has a capacity of six rounds of non-expanding recreational foam, repeated fire capable,” he joked.

“Or as every single police commissioner in Australia would say, it is a fully semiautomatic assault machine gun.”

A toy Nerf gun similar to the “replica firearm” seized by police. Picture: Supplied

When NT Police was asked if it would apologise to Mr Sterry for the apparently fruitless raid, Superintendent Antony Deutrom said investigations into the seized material were “ongoing”.

“NT Police searched an Alice Springs residence earlier this year and as a result two replica firearms were seized,” he said.

“The owner of the residence was previously found guilty in the Alice Springs Local Court for offences (sic) against the Weapons Control Act 2001.

“Investigations are ongoing, and as such no further comment will be provided.”

Mr Sterry was given a six month good behaviour bond in the Alice Springs Local Court, without conviction, in February after coming to the aid of his neighbour, who had been stabbed by another person.

Mr Sterry had taken his loaded 1917 Eddystone rifle and a bayonet for protection when he rushed to help the wounded man following the late night attack.

Police seized his lawfully owned firearms but judge John Birch found his actions were not disproportionate or unreasonable and ordered they be returned to him, while finding him guilty of carrying the bayonet in public.

Other charges, including carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and going armed in public were dismissed.

EARLIER: NT POLICE have seized a toy gun loaded with foam pellets and a chemical “consistent with water” during a daring daylight raid on the home of an amateur chemist in Alice Springs.

But almost three months after the dramatic search and seizure, in which “no scheduled drugs (were) detected”, police have not laid any charges.

In a lighthearted video posted online by the National Shooting Council following the bizarre raid, local gun owner and chemistry hobbyist Ron Sterry explained the officers had “seized my Nerf gun!”.

But Mr Sterry said the weapon taken into police custody during the search warrant was “not just any Nerf gun”.

“That is a Nerf Recon, part of the N-Strike series, so it has a capacity of six rounds of non-expanding recreational foam, repeated fire capable,” he joked.

“Or as every single police commissioner in Australia would say, it is a fully semiautomatic assault machine gun.”

A forensic analysis of the chemicals seized in the raid, including via “gas chromatography/mass spectrometry” and seen by the NT News, reveals that out of a total of 14 different substances, none contained any illicit drugs.

“No shock there,” Mr Sterry said.

“If the police had took even a single moment to look at my bank account they would have known that I’m certainly not a meth cook.”

Mr Sterry said the test results revealed the budding chemistry student was in possession of various compounds, including “water”, “vinegar”, “aspirin” and “my infamous chilli oil”.

“The top comment I get from people is ‘Can I please have a sample of your chilli oil?,” he said.

“So it wasn’t just the police that were after it, it seems to be half the population of Alice Springs.”

Mr Sterry had previously come to police attention when he was given a six month good behaviour bond in the Alice Springs Local Court, without conviction, after coming to the aid of his neighbour, who had been stabbed by another person.

Mr Sterry had taken his loaded 1917 Eddystone rifle and a bayonet for protection when he rushed to help the wounded man following the late night attack.

Police seized his lawfully owned firearms but judge John Birch found his actions were not disproportionate or unreasonable and ordered they be returned to him, while finding him guilty of carrying the bayonet in public.

Other charges, including carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and going armed in public were dismissed.

NT Police has been contacted for comment.