Police have seized a small arsenal of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the back shed of a suburban home in Perth.
A 72-year-old man has been accused of gathering the munitions at his Willetton property along with tinned food, water and other materials akin to a "doomsday prepper".
He is also facing charges over possessing the blueprints and material to manufacture weapons and ammunition including a WWII-era submachine gun.
Among about 5,000 rounds of ammunition seized were some "military-grade" .50 calibre rounds.
Acting Inspector Doug Stjepic said the man was surprised when police raided his property on Wednesday but was compliant.
He said investigations were ongoing but at this stage it was believed the weapons were for his own use.
He said the man was preparing for "something" but it was not clear what that was.
Interest in firearms 'beyond what is acceptable'
The man has no known military background and had not been linked to any outlaw motorcycle gangs.
He lived at the Willetton property with his partner.
Among the items seized were nine registered firearms which the man legally held.
"It's a privilege to have a firearms licence, and for those that go beyond, you will be prosecuted," Acting Inspector Stjepic said.
"While there are no allegations that this particular person was involved in the selling of firearms, or any broader criminal networks…"
"It does appear to be a case where his interest in firearms has gone beyond what is legal and acceptable, and that in itself creates a risk for the community."
The man has been charged with 8 counts of unlicensed possession of a firearm or ammunition, possessing a firearm in circumstances of aggravation, and failing to comply with firearm or ammunition storage requirements.
He is due to appear before Perth Magistrates Court next month.
Police have provided a list of the items seized.
Ammunition:
- 1,481 rounds of live 9mm
- 1,397 rounds of spent 9mm
- 672 rounds of live .303 calibre
- 100 rounds of spent .303 calibre
- 16 rounds of live .303 calibre blank firing
- 108 rounds of live 12-gauge
- 12 rounds of live .222 calibre
- 136 rounds of live .223 calibre
- 912 rounds of spent .223 calibre
- 6 rounds of live .44-40 calibre
- 1 round of live .455 calibre
- 33 rounds of live .50 calibre
Tools and Equipment:
- Progressive reloading presses, one with 9mm reloading dies attached, which reloads ammunition
- .223 calibre, .303 calibre, .45 calibre and 9mm reloaded dies
- .223 calibre, .303 calibre, 12 gauge and 9mm projectiles
- Primers
- Gun powder
- Case preparation tools
- Reloading manuals
Other:
- 3 x unlicensed rifles (in various form)
- 9 x licensed firearms
- Barrel rifling buttons for 9mm
- .45 calibre
- .223 calibre barrels
- Barrel chambering reamers for 9mm and .22 calibre ammunition
- Go and no-go gauges
- Parts for an Owen submachine gun
- Metal tubes/barrel blanks to make a .45 calibre barrel
