A 14-year-old youth will be charged with firearms offences after he was arrested with an imitation handgun in Glenorchy in the state’s south on Monday morning.
Around 8.30am police responded to reports of a youth in possession of a firearm at a shopping centre in Glenorchy.
A short time later police located him on-board a bus in the area.
Police arrested the boy who was in possession of a gel blaster which resembled a handgun.
The youth will be charged under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1997.
“Police take all reported firearms incidents seriously, and I thank people in the area this morning for information they promptly provided to police,” said Inspector John Ward.
“I’d like to remind the community that Gel Blasters are not considered toys in Tasmania – they can be easily mistaken for real firearms, and understandably they can cause fear in people who see them.
“Anyone found in possession of an imitation firearm, which includes a Gel Blaster, may be prosecuted.”
No threats were made, and no injuries were sustained.
