National firearms amnesty begins

THE federal government and Crime Stoppers Australia have launched a permanent national firearms amnesty to keep Australians safe while ensuring access to those with a legitimate need.

The amnesty began on Thursday last week, and Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said it allowed anyone in Australia to hand in unregistered or unwanted firearms that could otherwise fall into the wrong hands.

“Unregistered firearms are a threat to our community. They are difficult to trace and can fall into the hands of criminals to commit terrible crimes while avoiding police detection,” he said.

“An unwanted firearm can also be deadly. If not properly stored, there is always a risk that it could harm you or your loved ones.”

People who have an unregistered firearm or firearm-related item will be able to surrender it to a police station anonymously and without penalty, for registration, sale or destruction.

Licensed firearms dealers can also receive surrendered firearms in most states and territories. An unwanted firearm may also be handed in.

“If you have an unregistered firearm and you want to keep it, hand it in and see if you can register it. If you don’t want to keep your firearm, hand it in. Your community will thank you,” Mr Wood said.

If a person does not surrender an unregistered firearm and is found in possession of it, they may face criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

To support the commencement of the amnesty, Crime Stoppers has launched a National Illicit Firearms Campaign. In coming months, Crime Stoppers will deliver 65 grassroots community events across the nation to encourage people to hand in unwanted or unregistered firearms.

The previous national firearms amnesty, which was held over a three-month period in 2017, resulted in more than 57,000 firearms being handed in across Australia.

“I want to thank my state and territory counterparts for being supportive of a permanent national firearms amnesty and making important arrangements for the safe surrender of firearms,” Mr Wood said.

For more information, including the process to surrender a firearm, head to the Crime Stoppers Australia website.