News & Media

The Hon Michael Keenan MP
Minister for Justice Minister
Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism
MEDIA RELEASE - 8 September 2017

25,999 firearms have been handed in across Australia in the first two months of the National Firearms Amnesty, with Australians surrendering an average of 464 firearms each day.

 This is a great result, and shows Australians are serious about protecting themselves, their families, and their communities.

There are now only three weeks remaining to hand in firearms under the Amnesty, and I encourage Australians to continue to take advantage of the Amnesty period to help remove unregistered firearms from the community.

As we know, just one firearm in the wrong hands can be deadly.

Among the more unusual firearms handed in under the Amnesty have been a Beaumont Adams revolver circa 1856, a WWI era Lee Enfield rifle and two WWII US M1 carbines.

This is the first nation-wide gun amnesty since 1996, when the Howard Government took decisive action following the devastation of the Port Arthur Massacre. The Amnesty allows anyone with unwanted or unregistered firearms or firearm-related items to legally dispose of them at approved drop-off points in each state and territory.

There is no cost involved with surrendering a firearm, and no personal details are required.

Outside the current Amnesty period, anyone caught with an unregistered firearm faces a fine of up to $280,000, up to 14 years in jail, and a criminal record.

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

The Amnesty period continues until September 30.

Number of firearms received in each state and territory from 1 July to 25 August 2017:

* Number of firearms received from 1 July to 1 September 2017.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Danielle McKay 0438 390 273