A man has been charged on the Mid North Coast after police carried out a safe-storage inspection of registered firearms on a property near Kempsey and found the firearms were not secured properly.
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Operation Armour focuses on preventing, disrupting and reducing firearm thefts, with Rural Crime Prevention Teams conducting safe-storage inspections and compliance checks.
As part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged shooting of wedge-tailed eagles on the Mid North Coast, officers attached to the Mid North Coast Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) - with assistance from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service attended a property in Barraganyatti, about 30km north of Kempsey, at 3pm on Thursday, June 11, where they spoke with the owner of the property.
During a search of the property, police conducted a safe-storage inspection of the registered firearms.
Police will allege the firearms were not being stored safely and the storage unit was non-compliant with regulations.
The man has since been issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offences of not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm, and holder of Category A or B licence not have approved storage.
He is due to face Kempsey Local Court in August.
His firearms were seized and his firearms licence was suspended.
Police are reminding firearm owners about their obligations with safe storage as Operation Armour continues across NSW.
State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside, says officers want firearm holders to brush-up on their legal obligations.
"Our Rural Crime Prevention Teams want to educate all firearms licensees about safe storage and overall safety and management," Det Insp Whiteside said.
"If our officers find licence-holders have failed to comply with these responsibilities - which are required by law - then we will not hesitate to suspend their licence, seize firearms and take legal action.
"Firearms that are not safely stored can become opportunistic targets for thieves. When in the wrong hands, firearms are dangerous, and a threat to the community.
"Licence-holders are also reminded of their obligations under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 regarding the protection and conservation of animals and birds. If breached, this can carry a hefty monetary penalty or even imprisonment," Det Insp Whiteside said.
Officers from the Rural Crime Prevention Team will continue to conduct regular safe storage inspections across the state.
