30 January 2020

Country people a focus for NSW Guns Amnesty - July 1 to September 30

| Ian Campbell
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Some of the many firearms surrendered to during the 2017 amnesty. Photo: ACT Policing.

Some of the many firearms surrendered to during the 2017 amnesty. Photo: ACT Policing.

NSW Police have launched a state-wide Firearms Amnesty following the success of last year’s national campaign.

During the three-month amnesty in 2017, NSW netted 24,831 firearms and 1898 firearm parts for destruction, sale or registration, more than any other state or territory.

Anyone with an unregistered firearm or firearm-related item will be able to legally dispose, or register it, without penalty between 1 July and 30 September 2018, further reducing the number of unregistered and unwanted firearms in the community.

Deputy Commissioner Metropolitan Field Operations Jeff Loy, says, “There has been continued interest from the community to dispose of unwanted firearms without penalty.”

“In 2017, we had nearly 8000 firearms surrendered for destruction – including 951 handguns and 5558 shotguns – with about 15,000 handed in for registration and 2100 handed in for sale.

“This is another opportunity for people to get rid of any firearm or firearm parts without the fear of prosecution,” he says.

Firearms and firearm-related items can be surrendered under amnesty arrangements at approved drop-off points, which include licensed firearm dealers, and police stations.

Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into public places including police stations.

Deputy Commissioner Regional NSW Field Operations Gary Worboys, says, “Gun theft is a major concern for NSW Police, particularly in regional areas.”

“We are working hard to address the issue of firearm theft and it’s important we all work together and have the support of licensed firearm owners to make sure people who own guns keep them stored safely and securely,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys says.

“Every firearm captured in the amnesty is one we previously knew nothing about and risked falling into the hands of criminal gangs or organised crime syndicates.”

Anyone with concerns about handling firearms or safely transporting them can contact the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry on 1300 362 562 for advice.

Anyone with information concerning gun crime in NSW should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously. Police don’t need to know who you are; all they need is the information you have to hand. It may just help us get illegal guns off the street, and save lives in the process.

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They still fudging these numbers, even though they were unable to provide actual numbers in NSW Parliament? They were caught classing a “Firearm” as anything integral to a firearms operation, like a barrel, an old rifle bolt or a trigger mechanism. Firearm parts were grips and stocks. Very few complete firearms were surrendered, and of those that were, the majority were unusable. These amnesties aren’t the roaring success they are made out to be. People handing in some rusted old thing they found in a shed. Criminals aren’t exactly lining up and handing in their firearms.

In any case, there should be a permanent amnesty rather than the every few years political stunt.

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