The NSW Police Force has joined up with Crime Stoppers to call for residents to register or surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without being penalised, as part of a permanent national firearm amnesty.
In a statement, NSW Police said it was giving people a chance to surrender for destruction unwanted or unregistered firearms, parts and ammunition at no cost and without penalty for illegal possession.
“Our ultimate aim is for safer communities and this starts with the safe storage of firearms, and the handing in of illegal firearms and ammunition,” the Police said.
“Taking illegal guns out of the community can never be a bad thing,” it said.
NSW Police said the amnesty, launched by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Crime Stoppers Australia, coincided with the launch of Gun Safe, NSW Police’s new online portal for managing firearm transactions in the State.
Police said the platform was the first of its kind and replaced manual licence applications with real-time information and verification.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said the Gun Safe portal would be linked to the acquisition of firearms in NSW and the disposal of firearms locally and interstate.
Mr Elliott said residents under COVID-19 stay-at-home orders would need to monitor the NSW Health website to ensure they were legally able to hand in their firearms.
“Currently, handing in firearms does not meet the criteria of a reasonable excuse,” Mr Elliott said.
Further information on the amnesty, including the process to surrender a firearm, can be accessed on Crime Stoppers’ website at this PS News link.
