Drought Fights Crime

Drought exposes illegal firearms
Jordan Chong
January 4, 2007 - 3:02PM

Falling water levels might be a nightmare for farmers, gardeners and the community at large, but the drought has helped police recover a number of illegal guns dumped in lakes near Ballarat.

Four weapons, including rifles and a bolt-action shotgun, have been found since November at Wendouree and Creswick lakes, which sit empty because of Victoria's long drought.

Some of the weapons have a history, with one rifle linked to a burglary that occurred in Ballarat about 20 years ago, according to local police.

Ballarat Senior Sergeant Gary Pilmore said many of the firearms had been uncovered by people fossicking through the empty lakes.

He urged people who discoverer guns to contact local police.

"These guns are in very poor condition and some may still have ammunition inside them," Sen Sgt Pilmore said in a statement released by Victoria Police today.

"We are concerned that some people may come across an old firearm and take it home instead of contacting police and handing it in.

"For their own safety and the safety of the community we are asking people to immediately contact us if they find a firearm and we will come and collect it from them."

He said work was continuing to link the found guns to old crimes or return them to their original owners.

A series of gun amnesties in Victoria and the banning of certain categories of firearms may have prompted the dumping of the guns, he said.