A number of toy guns, no bigger than a matchbox, were confiscated by Customs and Excise officers.
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This story made headline on the front page of The Canberra Times on this day in 1966.
The guns, illegally imported into Australia, had been on sale at the city's souvenir shop.
Investigation of the source of entry of these guns into Australia was in progress at the time of the article. Officers of the Department of Custom and Excise confiscated the guns from the store.
The guns were models of old-time pistols. They had a barrel with an inside diameter about the size of a darning needle.
An explosive cap could be fitted in the barrel and its detonator produced a loud bag. The guns were claimed to be harmless. Sold as a key ring novelty, the guns were made in Europe.
A spokesperson for the Department of Customs and Excise said there were a few things still to be followed up. The police knew about the investigations and said they regarded the items as firearms.
The "guns" were being sold in at least two shops in Canberra for $4 each.
