THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
Thousands more weapons surrendered under Permanent National Firearms Amnesty
Australians surrendered another 12,000 unregistered or unwanted firearms in the second year of the Permanent National Firearms Amnesty.
The second annual report on the Amnesty released today reveals over 29,700 firearms and weapons have now been surrendered since the Amnesty commenced on 1 July 2022.
The types of firearms and weapons that have been surrendered over the two years of the Amnesty include fully and semi-automatic firearms, crossbows, tasers, knuckledusters and a Vietnam war-era flamethrower.
The permanent Amnesty enables Australians to anonymously surrender unregistered firearms without penalty to law enforcement or select licenced firearms dealers.
Removing these illegal weapons is an important community safety measure that helps reinforce Australia’s world leading gun safety laws by reducing the overall number of firearms circulating, and preventing them from being used by criminals.
The ongoing success of the Amnesty follows National Cabinet’s landmark agreement in December to implement a National Firearms Register – delivering on an outstanding reform from the Port Arthur massacre response in 1996.
This National Firearms Register is the most significant improvement in Australia's firearms management systems in almost 30 years and will keep our community safer.
The Albanese Government is committed to protecting the Australian community and ensuring Australia’s firearms laws remain amongst the most effective in the world.
I encourage all Australians still in possession of an unregistered or unwanted firearm to take advantage of the Amnesty. Full details on how you can surrender unregistered weapons safely, and without penalty, can be found on the Crime Stoppers website.
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 crimestoppers.com.au.
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
