The Australian Government has partnered with Crime Stoppers Australia to launch a permanent national firearms amnesty to keep Australians safe while ensuring those with a legitimate need to access firearms are able to do so.
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said the amnesty, which started on 1st July, 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,” the Assistant Minister 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 a person does not surrender an unregistered firearm and is found in possession of it, they may face criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
Crime Stoppers will deliver 65 grassroots community events across the nation to encourage people to do the right thing and hand in unwanted or unregistered firearms.
The previous national firearms amnesty, held over three months in 2017, resulted in over 57,000 firearms being handed in across Australia.
Further information, including the process to surrender a firearm in each state or territory, is available at www.crimestoppers.com.au/firearmsamnesty.