Nearly 10,000 firearms and firearm-related items – including 602 handguns and 1575 shotguns – have been surrendered to police and dealers in NSW as part of the National Firearms Amnesty.
The three-month campaign which ran from 1 July to 30 September 2017 also saw 13,729 firearms were handed in for registration and 2101 were acquired by dealers.
Of the top ten local area commands (LACs) to receive the most surrendered firearms, firearm-related items and prohibited weapons, nine were in areas outside of metropolitan Sydney. Oxley LAC received the most with 1322 items.
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Regional Field Operations, Gary Worboys, says the response from the community has been overwhelming, especially in regional areas.
“It’s extremely 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 Worboys said.
“There has been a really strong response across the state which means there are now fewer unwanted or unregistered guns on our streets.
Deputy Commissioner Metropolitan Field Operations, Jeff Loy, said gun crime affects everyone.
“In the wrong-hands, guns are a lethal weapon so it’s pleasing to see people are keen to do the right thing and have used the opportunity to dispose of firearms and other weapons to ensure they don’t end up in the wrong hands,” Deputy Commissioner Loy said.
Surrendered items of interest include 20 SKS assault rifles, eight M1 carbine military self-loading rifles, four sub-machine guns, a Colt AR-15 rifle, a .44 calibre magnum revolver, an Adler 110 shotgun, and a Mauser model 1918 T-Gewehr-Bolt Action anti-tank rifle.
“It’s concerning these high-powered weapons and modified guns were in our community but they have now been destroyed under amnesty arrangements,” Deputy Commissioner Loy said.
Under the amnesty 130 prohibited weapons including 14 crossbows, 27 suppressors, samurai swords, knives, and other edged weapons were also handed in.
Anyone with information concerning gun crime in NSW should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Remember, information can be provided anonymously. Police don't need to know who you are; all they need is the information you have to hand. It may just help them get illegal guns of the street, and save lives in the process.
