THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MEDIA RELEASE
Permanent National Firearms Amnesty
Australians have surrendered more than 17,000 unregistered or unwanted firearms in the first year of operation of the permanent national firearms amnesty.
The first annual report on the amnesty reveals Australians surrendered 17,543 firearms and weapons and 606 firearms parts and accessories between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.
The permanent amnesty provides the opportunity to surrender unregistered firearms to law enforcement, without penalty or threat of criminal liability.
It is an important measure to reduce the number of firearms circulating in our community, and keep Australians safe.
The report released today found Australians who surrendered firearms in that time period were primarily motivated to do so out of a sense of responsibility or because they did not require them.
The Albanese Government thanks those Australians who have participated in the permanent amnesty and urges gun owners to continue to hand in their unregistered or unwanted firearms.
The success of the first year of the permanent amnesty is the result of collaboration between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, law enforcement agencies, licensed firearm dealers, the firearms community and members of the general public.
If you are in possession of an unregistered or unwanted firearm, the Government encourages you to surrender it and you can do so anonymously and without penalty. The process for surrendering a firearm in each state or territory is available at www.crimestoppers.com.au/firearmamnesty.
Read the first annual report on Australia’s permanent national firearms amnesty at https://www.ag.gov.au/crime/publications/permanent-national-firearms-amnesty-annual-report-2021-2022.
If you know or suspect that someone has an illegal firearm, you can anonymously share that information with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at https://crimestoppers.com.au/.
Saturday, 21 January 2023
