National firearms amnesty takes aim at Australia’s illegal weapons

AUSTRALIANS with unregistered or illegal firearms can avoid prosecution when the first nationwide firearms amnesty since 1996 begins on July 1.

Anyone with an unwanted and unregistered firearm can legally dispose of or register their firearm in each state and territory without prosecution.

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THE first nationwide firearms amnesty since the Port Arthur Massacre will begin on July 1.

For three months, until September 30, anyone with an unwanted and unregistered firearm can legally dispose of or register their firearm in each state and territory without prosecution.

It comes after a difficult two years for the federal government over firearms laws, which led to division over the lever-action Adler shotgun.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the ­amnesty was as much about giving a family a chance to get rid of an old heirloom as it was about keeping guns off the streets.

“Sadly, as recent events have shown us, just one gun in the wrong hands can be deadly” Mr Keenan said.

“There is no cost involved with handing in firearms or related items for destruction, and no personal details are ­required.”

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan has announced a national gun amnesty. Picture: David Caird

Mr Keenan said people should remember that outside the amnesty period, anyone caught with an unregistered firearm could face a fine of up to $280,000, up to 14 years in jail, and a criminal record.

Children’s charity the Alannah & Madeline Foundation has praised the move.

The foundation has consistently supported a national ­amnesty — a stance that was made clear in its National Firearms Agreement Submission in 2015 to the federal government — with the aim of reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation across the country.

Foundation chief executive Lesley Podesta said it would continue its campaign, urging state and territory governments to strengthen their respective gun legislations.

“We support any measure that potentially reduces the death rate due to firearms,” Ms Podesta said.

“Reducing the number of firearms in the community — particularly illegal firearms — does reduce the potential for firearm deaths.”

Information about individual state and territory requirements, including how and where to surrender firearms, can be found online at ­firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or by phoning 1800 909 826.

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