Police have issued a stern warning to Tasmanians about gel blasters after seizing multiple illegal replicas during recent raids across the state.
Tasmania Police discovered numerous Glock-style gel blasters during searches in Glenorchy, Sorell and Burnie last week as part of a national crackdown on illicit firearms. The operations resulted in four arrests and the seizure of five firearms, weapon parts, ammunition and several gel blasters.
Gel blasters are toy guns that fire small, water-absorbing gel balls. They closely resemble real firearms and are often modelled after popular weapons like Glock pistols and military rifles. While marketed as toys in some states, they’re highly realistic in appearance.
Acting Inspector Leah Adams from Tasmania Police’s Joint Organised Crime Task Force said it was “concerning to see a number of gel blasters being held illegally.”
Unlike other Australian states where they may be sold as toys, gel blasters are classified as firearms under Tasmania’s Firearms Act 1996.
This means owning one without the proper licence is a criminal offence.
To legally possess a gel blaster in Tasmania, you must hold either a Category A licence for rifle-style blasters or a Category H licence for pistol-style models. You also need to demonstrate a genuine reason for ownership, just as you would for any other firearm.
The crackdown formed part of a national operation targeting illicit firearms and privately manufactured weapons. Across Australia, more than 1,000 firearms and parts were seized, with 184 people arrested.
Media release – Tasmania Police, 21 October, 2025
Firearms seized in Tasmania as part of national operation
Police have seized firearms, gun parts, ammunition and gel blasters during a series of searches across Tasmania involving local officers and members of Australian Border Force.
The operation formed part of a targeted crackdown on illicit firearms, including privately manufactured weapons, which resulted nationally in more than 1000 firearms and parts being seized and 184 arrests.
Multiple searches were conducted in Tasmania, with properties at Glenorchy, Sorell and Burnie among those targeted.
A 42-year-old man from Glenorchy is facing 12 firearms-related charges after officers seized three firearms, parts and two gel blasters during a search of a Glenorchy property last week.
Four people in total were arrested across the week-long operation and items seized included firearms, firearms parts and ammunition.
Tasmania Police Joint Organised Crime Task Force Acting Inspector Leah Adams said police conducted searches on five days at various locations.
“Four of those days were in conjunction with ABF, where in a number of the searches conducted we were looking for illicit firearm parts, and manufactured firearms” Acting Inspector Adams said.
“There were five firearms seized, numerous imitation firearms such as Glock-style gel blasters, and parts for manufacturing firearms. Also located were numerous quantities of cocaine with one northern offender to be charged with trafficking.”
Acting Inspector Adams said it was concerning to see a number of gel blasters being held illegally.
Gel blasters are considered firearms in Tasmania, under the Firearms Act 1996.
To lawfully possess a gel blaster, you must possess a Category A licence (air rifle) or Category H licence (air pistol) is required.
A person needs a genuine reason to possess a gel blaster, in the same way that they need a genuine reason to possess any other firearm.
Australian Border Force Commander Graeme Campbell said ABF officers across the country were skilled in targeting suspect consignments, detecting firearms and removing these dangerous items from circulation.
“The importation of firearms and firearm parts is of concern to law enforcement across the country, as the dangers of these weapons falling into the wrong hands is extremely concerning,” Commander Campbell said.
“Imported firearm parts can be constructed with other privately manufactured parts, creating dangerous and untraceable weapons filtering onto our streets.
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