More than 8300 guns – including 413 shotguns and 1373 rifles – have been surrendered to police and dealers across the state as part of this year’s Firearms Amnesty.
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Metropolitan Field Operations Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy and Minister for Police Troy Grant will officially wrap-up the state-wide amnesty, which follows the success of a national campaign in 2017, aimed at reducing unregistered and unwanted firearms in the community.
The NSW Firearms Amnesty ran from July 1 to September 30 and saw more than 74,000 rounds of ammunition, 56 prohibited weapons and 338 firearm parts and accessories surrendered, with the public encouraged to legally dispose of unregistered firearms or firearm-related items without penalty.
Deputy Commissioner Loy said the community clearly demonstrated it did not want firearms falling into the wrong hands and putting lives at risk.
“There has been a really strong response across the state and it is encouraging to see community members recognising the danger posed by these weapons and doing the right thing by handing them in or having them registered,” Deputy Commissioner Loy said.
“Too many firearms are not stored correctly which makes them an easy target for thieves, particularly in regional and rural properties.”
Minister Grant said the amnesty said was an opportunity to reduce the number of unregistered guns on the street without being penalised.
“We are absolutely focused on doing everything we can to keep people safe, and this amnesty has allowed police to significantly reduce the number of unregistered firearms in the community,” Mr Grant said.
“Police have successfully captured thousands of firearms – either for destruction or registration – including a replica colt AR-15 machine gun, .36 colt 1851 navy six chamber percussion revolver and eight .303 Lee Enfield bolt action repeater rifles.
“It is of course concerning that these potentially dangerous weapons were once on our streets; however, at the same time, I commend the community for helping us remove them and to ultimately make our neighbourhoods safer.”
Anyone who has not registered or disposed of a firearm or firearm-related parts during the amnesty could now face a hefty penalty.
During the amnesty more than 250 dealers participated and are expected to hand over firearms submitted to them by mid-November.
