Two Pakenham residents have been charged after police discovered a homemade firearm—known as a slam gun—during a search in Melbourne’s south-east.
Victoria Police’s Armed Crime Squad executed a warrant at a residential property in Pakenham on Tuesday 14 May 2025, arresting a 22-year-old woman in a vehicle outside the address.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a crude homemade shotgun and four cartridges of shotgun ammunition.
Police have identified the weapon as a slam gun—a basic, improvised firearm typically constructed from metal pipes. These firearms operate by manually slamming two pipe components together to discharge a shotgun shell. Although unsophisticated in design, slam guns are illegal and capable of causing serious harm.
The discovery follows an earlier police operation at the same Pakenham address on 21 February, when officers seized a semi-automatic handgun.
A 22-year-old man was also arrested and interviewed by detectives.
Both the man and woman have been charged with:
- Two counts of possessing a handgun
- Two counts of possessing ammunition
They were granted bail and are scheduled to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 25 August 2025.
Police have not confirmed whether the seized weapons were intended for use, sale, or distribution.
Victoria Police is urging anyone with information about illegal firearms in Pakenham, Frankston or the Mornington Peninsula to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
