A three month weapons amnesty has started in Queensland.
The Government announced a state-wide amnesty from prosecution for the surrender and registration of weapons and unregistered firearms during the amnesty period.
The amnesty is effective from February 1 to April 30, 2013.
Deputy Commissioner (Specialist Operations) Ross Barnett said members of the public would be encouraged to hand back and surrender for destruction, unregistered firearms and other weapons.
“Included in the announcement to reform Queensland weapons legislation was a reference to include a firearms hand back scheme and firearm registration amnesty,” Deputy Commissioner Barnett said.
“Appropriately licensed members of the public will be encouraged to register previously unregistered firearms through firearms dealers, armourers, firearms sporting clubs as well as police stations.
“The amnesty allows firearm owners who have an unregistered firearm, to register it under their current licence.
“Additionally, unlicensed owners can apply for a licence and anyone can surrender their unregistered firearm to be destroyed or sold to a firearms dealer.
“In 2004, firearm owners were offered the same type of amnesty and by the end of the period 7,704 firearms had been registered and 2,835 destroyed. “Police stations in regional areas will have access to a mobile destruction van when a regional destruction centre has been inundated with surrendered firearms. These vans are located at Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Townsville. “The three mobile destruction vans are fitted with a hydraulic press and a circular saw to efficiently destroy the firearms.
Unregistered firearms can be surrendered during the amnesty to local firearms dealers or police station without prosecution for its possession. Personal details or reasons for the possession may not be required.
People who hold a current Weapons Act licence for the relevant category can apply to register a firearm at a shooting club, firearms dealer, armourer or local police station without prosecution for its possession.
For more information, call the Firearms Amnesty Information Line during business hours on 1300 833 548 or email: firearmsamnesty@police.qld.gov.au
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service. For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444.
