Residents will be able to surrender unwanted or unregistered firearms parts, and ammunition for destruction, at no cost and without penalty for illegal possession, as part of a monumental and first-ever permanent National Firearms Amnesty.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said gun amnesties have proven their effectiveness over the last 25 years, in keeping the community safe.
“During NSW’s last gun amnesty in 2017, more than 26,000 firearms, parts and accessories were surrendered for destruction or registered, and I am sure the success of the program will continue through the permanent amnesty,” Mr Elliott said.
“Our strong gun control is one of Australia’s proudest achievements, and the introduction of the permanent amnesty builds on the policies and legacy set in place by John Howard in 1996.
The amnesty coincides with the launch of Gun Safe, a new online portal for managing firearms transactions in NSW.
The first of its kind, Gun Safe replaces manual licence applications with real time information and verification.
The portal will be linked to the acquisition of firearms in NSW and disposal of firearms locally and interstate, including firearms which are provided as part of the amnesty.
“NSW continues to lead the nation in keeping our local communities safe, with the introduction of Gun Safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“The new portal has been designed with community safety as the priority and will provide real time information to police, including notifying the Firearms Registry of illegal or unverified transactions.”
Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook, the Police Prosecutions and Licensing Enforcement Commander, is encouraging gun owners to surrender or register their firearms.
“We encourage NSW residents to take advantage of the amnesty to surrender their firearms, gun parts and ammunition, without fear of being penalised for illegal possession,” said Assistant Commissioner Cook
“Our focus, as always, is public safety. We want to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the community, so they don’t fall into the hands of criminals, who use unregistered firearms for intimidation and violence.”
Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Price AM said NSW is moving towards a more community centric approach to firearms and safety.
“Previously, firearms amnesties had a definitive time frame, but we understand that some members of the community might change their minds about handing in illegal firearms, so we want to give them the opportunity to do so anytime, anywhere,” Mr Price said
Participating firearms dealers can now accept and record unregistered firearms through the NSW Police Force’s new Gun Safe platform.
Dealers using the digital platform can register firearms, prohibited weapons, gun parts and ammunition under the amnesty.
More information about the amnesty and surrendering, registering or selling unwanted firearms is available here.
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