A Nelson police investigation into the “diversion” of firearms — purchased legally and then passed to people without licenses — has led to the discovery of three loaded firearms in a bedroom containing a child’s cot earlier this year.
“The only action required to discharge the firearms was to pull the trigger,” police said in a statement this afternoon.
Officers made the discovery while executing a search warrant in June.
“All the firearms had rounds chambered and safety switches disengaged,” police said.
Detective Inspector Albie Alexander added: “On a different day, the police attendance at this address — rather than to execute a search warrant — could have been in response to a terrible and needless tragedy.”
As a result, five men faced “a range of” firearms charges after more searches in the Nelson area in recent days.
“The charges relate to the unlawful possession of firearms, dishonesty, and offences against the Firearms Registry.
“One man also faces charges including intentionally not registering firearms, incorrect storage of firearms, and neglect of a child.”
The last charge was “in relation” to the June search.
“Four of the five men charged are firearms license holders, and the fifth previously had his firearms license revoked,” police said.
“The investigation, as a whole, related to the historic diversion of firearms – meaning, firearms purchased legally but then ‘diverted’ into the possession of people without firearms licenses.”
‘Highly sought after by criminal groups and gangs’
Police explained analysis of a firearms retailer’s historical sales data showed “a series of suspicious sales of Alfa Carbine rifles”.
“The Alfa Carbine rifle has been identified as a firearm commonly diverted due to the ease with which it can be converted into a pistol, and is highly sought after by criminal groups and gangs.
“Two of the men charged are, or were, employed by a firearms retailer and used their position to facilitate the diversion of firearms.”
The majority of the alleged offending took place during 2021 and 2022, the statement continued.
“It is alleged one of the methods for diversion used by the retail firearms insiders was to fraudulently list the sales of Alfa Carbines against the name of a legitimate licence holder without their knowledge, but then provide the firearms to unlicensed people.
“On this occasion, three Alfa Carbines were listed against that firearms licence holder,” police said.
“On another occasion, one of the retail firearms insiders paid $9700 in cash and used an associate’s firearms licence to register the sale of five Alfa Carbines.
“Overall, in this investigation police allege to have identified at least 19 Alfa Carbines purchased and diverted between October 2021 and May 2022.”
Alexander said that most of the firearms community is doing the right thing, but being undermined by “a few individuals”.
“Firearms safety, particularly in the home with young children, has a small margin of error.”
