AGSA is very pleased to have worked with Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs The Hon. Jason Wood MP on the implementation of a National Firearm Amnesty that began 1 July 2021.
Crime Stoppers Australia has launched the permanent amnesty in all states and territories.
Anyone with an unregistered or unwanted firearm or firearm-related item will be able to surrender it to a police station anonymously and without penalty. The firearm can then be registered, sold or destroyed.
Licensed firearms dealers can also receive surrendered firearms in most states and territories.
The last national amnesty was in 2017 for just three months and uncovered 57,000 previously unregistered guns. This amnesty is permanent and ongoing.
AGSA members were involved in consultation meetings with Assistant Minister Wood and fully supported the initiative.
AGSA coordinator Stephen Bendle says, “Finding unregistered or unwanted guns is a significant step in protecting the community from guns that could be used illegally, stolen or sold on the black market.”
More information on the Amnesty can be found at Crimestoppers.
