NSW Police Force and Crime Stoppers have called for residents to register or surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without penalty for illegal possession, as part of the first ever permanent national amnesty.
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Crime Stoppers and police across the country are giving Australians a chance to surrender for destruction unwanted or unregistered firearms, parts, and ammunition at no cost and without penalty for illegal possession.
The amnesty coincides with the launch of Gun Safe - a new online portal for managing firearms transactions in NSW.
Designed with community safety top of mind, the platform is the first of its kind replacing manual licence applications with real time information and verification.
The portal will be linked to the acquisition of firearms in NSW and disposal of firearms locally and interstate. This risk-based system notifies the registry of unusual or unverified transactions which will reduce risk of harm in the community.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the introduction of a permanent national amnesty sends a clear message that community safety is paramount.
"This new permanent amnesty will allow community members to surrender for destruction unwanted or unregistered firearms and ammunition cost free," he said.
"Gun safe, the new online portal will ensure that all firearms transactions are accounted for, giving the community peace of mind that police can access real time information when it comes to guns to help prevent crime and keep our communities safe."
Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook, the Police Prosecutions and Licensing Enforcement Commander, is encouraging gun owners to surrender or register their firearms.
"We encourage NSW residents to take advantage of the amnesty to surrender their firearms, gun parts and ammunition, without fear of being penalised for illegal possession."
"Our focus, as always, is public safety. We want to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the community, so they don't fall into the hands of criminals, who use unregistered firearms for intimidation and violence," said Assistant Commissioner Cook.
Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Price AM said the initiatives were moving towards a more community centric approach to firearms and safety.
"Previously, firearms amnesties had a definitive time frame, but we understand that some members of the community might change their minds about handing in illegal firearms, so we want to give them the opportunity to do so anytime, anywhere."
"All of us have seen the harm that is caused by the unlawful use of a firearm and the impact on community confidence that often follows, which is why we all have a part to play in making our community safer - that's our aim," Mr Price said.
Participating dealers can now accept and record unregistered firearms through the NSW Police Force's new Gun Safe platform. Dealers using the digital platform can register firearms, prohibited weapons, gun parts and ammunition under the Amnesty.
"For firearm dealers, Gun Safe provides enhanced recording and reporting functions, and real-time information about firearms on the system," said Assistant Commissioner Cook.
"The new amnesty enhances the services available to dealers on Gun Safe including more transactions, beyond buying and selling of registered firearms."
"For police, the system gives us more oversight, so we know when, where and how amnesty guns are being handed in."
More information about the amnesty and surrendering, registering or selling unwanted firearms is available from crimestoppers.com.au/firearmsamnesty
Residents currently under stay-at-home orders in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Central Coast will need to monitor the government advice on the NSW Health website to ensure they are legally able to hand in their firearms. Currently, handing in firearms does not meet the criteria of a reasonable excuse.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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