Two men will face court after Traffic and Highway Patrol officers stopped the Ford Falcon at Walang, 15km north of Bathurst, about 8am on Thursday.

Officers searched the Falcon and allegedly found a loaded .22 calibre shortened firearm, ammunition, a hunting knife and knuckle dusters. The driver, a 22-year-old man, and passenger, a 21-year-old man - both from Cowra - were arrested.

Following a search of the passenger, officers seized an amount of drugs believed to be ice and cannabis. All items seized will undergo forensic examinations.

Police have charged the passenger with two counts of possessing a prohibited drug. He will appear in court on December 5.

The driver was charged with possessing a shortened firearm, possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammunition, prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited drug, use/supply stolen firearm or firearm part, not keeping a firearm safely, and custody of a knife in a public place.

He was refused bail to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Friday.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from the state’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said that the arrest was an example of the outstanding work that the Traffic and Highway Patrol officers do on a daily basis.

“This is a prime example of the capability that our Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers have on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

“Whilst our focus will always be road safety, our officers enforce the law on and off our roads.”