Terrifying hidden bunker found beneath sofa with arsenal of high-powered weapons
A secret bunker has been discovered with a shooting range and "an arsenal of very high-powered firearms being incorrectly stored".
The bunker was discovered in High Wycombe, Perth, Australia, last year but only this week was footage released.
It was hidden under a decoy sofa and the video shows it lifted to reveal a set of stairs that leads down to a shooting range with a vast amount of guns.
There was also a workbench, suppressors for guns and body armour. The bunker stored a variety of different calibre bullets, including boxes of 50-calibre rounds for one rifle.
The remarkable discovery has even led to a change in the law.
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Former professional fighter David Letizia pleaded guilty to firearm-related charges, was fined and lost his firearms licence.
The discovery of a secret underground bunker in Perth contributed to the Western Australia government outlawing high-powered firearms (WA Police)Most of the weapons were registered and the owner was charged with one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
"Unbelievably, the worst offence this individual has allegedly committed is failing to apply to the local council for approval to build the bunker and underground shooting range," Western Australia [WA] Police Minister Paul Papalia said.
He continued: "That's how outdated and weak our 50-year-old firearms laws are here in WA, and that's why the WA Police Force has asked us to completely overhaul them.
The arsenal of guns under the sofa (WA Police)"Why he needed that many high-powered rifles in a secret underground shooting range is beyond me."
The new ban as a result of the discovery will come into effect on July 1, 2023, and will outlaw firearms and ammunition designed to shoot over long ranges.
There are 56 types of guns and 19 calibres of ammunition that will become illegal.
When the bunker's door opened, the lounge lifted to reveal a set of stairs (WA Police)Mr Papalia said the weapons were designed to hunt large animals that they do not have in Australia, such as rhinos.
"Some projectiles from these firearms are capable of penetrating the body armour worn by police officers, as well as most hard surfaces of police vehicles from up to two kilometres away," Acting WA Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley said to 9 News.
Firearm owners will be given time to surrender their weapons at the nearest police station.
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Bullets from the bunker (WA Police)And anyone buying a gun under the new laws will now have to undergo mandatory and ongoing mental health checks.
Twenty people died from gunshot wounds in the state last year and Mr Papalia said mental health issues were involved in at least half of those deaths.
He hoped the changes would help reduce murders, gun-related family and domestic violence, attacks on police and suicides.
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