Firearms amnesty for July 2017 amid fears of rising gun culture

THE biggest national action on firearms since the Port Arthur massacre 21 years ago has been slated amid fears of a rising gun culture.

Martin Bryant was responsible for the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the worst in Australian history.

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THE first national gun amnesty since the Port Arthur massacre 21 years ago will start from July amid enduring concerns over gun violence and relentless illegal imports.

The Federal Government will grant a three-month amnesty in a bid to get about 260,000 illegal guns off the street – about one prohibited firearm to every 100 Australians.

It comes as Australian Border Force is netting about 33 guns or firearm parts a week.

A whopping 70 per cent of the 1750 undeclared imports in the past financial year were sent to Queensland. Most were detected in the international mail stream.

Some gun nuts and criminals are importing silencers from the US and trying to escape law enforcement attention by labelling their airmail package as something else.

Others are breaking down firearms into small parts and sending them through the mail in multiple consignments.

Border Force, which operates a dedicated firearms intelligence team, has more than 40 active investigations relating to importation of firearms, parts and accessories.

It can also be revealed the Government will this month try to reintroduce mandatory minimum sentences for gun traffickers.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan told The Sunday Mail the amnesty, which would not include a buyback, would run until September 30.

“This is the first Australia wide gun amnesty since 1996, when the Howard government took action following the devastation of the Port Arthur Massacre,’’ Mr Keenan said.

“While there have been state-based amnesties over that time, it is time that we give every Australian another opportunity to hand in their unwanted firearms without fear of being prosecuted.

“This is as much about giving family a chance to get rid of an old heirloom as it is about getting rid of guns off our streets.

“One gun in the wrong hands can be deadly, and I expect this amnesty will haul many guns from across the country. I encourage Australians to take this opportunity, and help to make our country safer.

“While our security and intelligence agencies do a phenomenal job detecting and intercepting guns, we have to create the greatest possible deterrent to illicit gun trafficking. A slap on the wrist won’t cut it. We have to make sure the punishment matches the crime.”

Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said the volumes of international mail officers were seeing was huge.

“But through intelligence sharing, X-ray technology and skilled officers, we are well placed to detect firearms,” he said.

Originally published as Firearms amnesty for July 2017 amid fears of rising gun culture