Police in Western Australia have launched a major operation targeting firearm owners suspected of holding anti-government or “sovereign citizen” views, seizing more than 130 guns and revoking dozens of firearm licenses. The move follows a series of fatal police shootings across the country, sparking renewed concerns over extremist ideologies among gun owners.
Authorities said the crackdown was part of a coordinated effort to prevent further attacks on law enforcement officers and ensure that all firearm holders meet the legal definition of “fit and proper persons.” The operation involved visits to 70 properties across the state between late September and early October, where officers confiscated 135 firearms and revoked or suspended 44 gun permits.
Police investigations linked the initiative to the recent killing of two police officers in Victoria state by a man believed to subscribe to sovereign citizen ideologies. These beliefs, which reject government authority and established legal systems, have been labeled as dangerous and delusional by officials. The suspect in that case remains at large, prompting a nationwide alert and closer monitoring of individuals expressing similar anti-government sentiments.
Western Australia’s Police Commissioner emphasized that anyone who openly refuses to acknowledge the authority of the law cannot be deemed suitable to own firearms. He noted that investigators used a combination of intelligence sources, including social media activity and reports from other gun owners, to identify individuals for review.
The recent raids come amid growing concern over the safety of police officers. Over the past three years, six officers across four states have been shot dead by members of the public—an alarming trend in a country where gun violence is rare. Authorities attribute several of these killings to individuals motivated by conspiracy theories and extremist beliefs.
Australia has some of the strictest gun control measures in the world, a legacy of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that claimed 35 lives. Western Australia strengthened its firearm laws in 2024, introducing tougher screening processes and limiting the number of guns most citizens can possess to 10.
Officials described the recent operation as a preventive measure aimed at safeguarding communities and law enforcement officers. They vowed to continue monitoring firearm owners to ensure compliance with the country’s stringent regulations and prevent extremist ideologies from fueling further acts of violence.
