Federal police have seized a loaded rifle from the car of an anti-vaccine protester camped illegally.
The 44-year-old man was part of the “Convoy to Canberra” group who have caused chaos across the capital since their arrival on Monday.
ACT Police made the discovery after officers carried out a search warrant of the man’s car.
A spokesman said the man was expected to be charged with the possession of an illegal firearm and face multiple traffic offences in relation to his car’s roadworthiness.
Earlier, ACT and federal police were called in to move the illegal camp of protesters on.
The group set up camp outside the National Library in hopes of “holding the line” until parliament resumes next week.
But their hopes were dashed after police descended onto their camp early Friday morning, telling the anti-vaxxers to move on or risk having their stuff seized.
Protesters could be heard telling one another to meet them at the camping grounds at Exhibition Park in Canberra’s north.
The group also encouraged one another to drive at speeds of 20km/h or less along Canberra’s roads as a form of protest.
Four cars were towed from the Patrick White Lawns after their owners refused to move them.
Unauthorised camping is not permitted in the parliamentary precinct of the National Capital Authority-managed land.
The ACT Policing spokesman said overall the operation was peaceful and no further arrests were made in relation to crowd behaviour.
Three people were arrested and faced charges on Wednesday after scenes turned ugly at the campsite.
