WWI Colt revolver a surprise surrender in gun amnesty
A COLT revolver used by a Canadian officer in the first World War, a semiautomatic .22 rifle and a Lee-Enfield bolt action long arm, which may have seen action in WWII, are just some of the weapons being surrendered to Central Coast police as part of a gun amnesty.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A COLT revolver used by a Canadian officer in the first World War, a semiautomatic .22 rifle and a Lee-Enfield bolt action long arm, which may have seen action in WWII, are just some of the weapons being surrendered to Central Coast police as part of a gun amnesty.
Old fire arms are usually gathering dust in a box high up on a garage shelf or secreted away at the back of a wardrobe.
And while many will be well past their prime, old fire arms — in the wrong hands — can still be deadly.
Brisbane Water Police District Acting Superintendent Toby Lindsay has urged Central Coast residents to take advantage of a current gun amnesty to dispose of old or unregistered fire arms and
He said fire arms were often passed down when elderly residents died and families were left not knowing what to do with them.
“On the back of the national firearms amnesty last year, which saw about 25,000 fire arms and parts either disposed or registered we’d like to replicate that,” Acting Supt Lindsay said.
“The NSW Government has initiated this fire arms amnesty which runs from the first of July to the 30th of September.
“Locally in Brisbane Waters District we had about 300 fire arms or related parts surrendered (last year), which was fantastic and we would like to remind the community of the current fire arms amnesty and encourage them to surrender fire arms or have them registered.
“What it does is gives the community the opportunity to dispose or have fire arms and related parts registered without penalty.”
Acting Supt Lindsay said people wanting to surrender fire arms could contact police or nominated drop off points, which included licensed fire arm dealers.
“We encourage making appointments before attendance and we also strongly encourage no one transports or handles loaded fire arms,” he said.
He said Brisbane Water police have had five fire arms surrendered to date.
One of these included a .45 calibre Colt revolver issued to Canadian officers in World War I complete with its leather case.
The person who handed it in said it belonged to their grandfather who served in the Great War.
Given the historical significance of the pistol Acting Supt Lindsay said the gun would probably end up in a museum.
Another more alarming fire arm was a .22 semiautomatic rifle with the provision for a silencer to be attached to the end of the muzzle.
Another surrendered gun included a Lee — Enfield bolt-action rifle, which was the main weapon used by Commonwealth forces in WWII.
Deputy Commissioner Regional NSW Field Operations Gary Worboys said gun theft was a major concern for police, particularly in regional areas.
“We are working hard to address the issue of firearm theft and it’s important we all work together and have the support of licensed firearm owners to make sure people who own guns keep them stored safely and securely,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“Every firearm captured in the amnesty is one we previously knew nothing about and risked falling into the hands of criminal gangs or organised crime syndicates.”
Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into public places — including police stations.
Anyone with concerns about handling firearms or safely transporting them, can contact the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry on: 1300 362 562.