Region handing in firearms

HAND IN ILLEGAL OR UNWANTED FIREARMS: A firearm amnesty continues to be taken up by Limestone Coast residents, says Police Superintendent Campbell Hill.

LIMESTONE Coast residents have been making use of the firearms amnesty since the policy was first introduced in 2015.

The amnesty allows South Australians to surrender unauthorised or unwanted firearms without fear of prosecution.

Limestone Coast Police Superintendent Campbell Hill said that the number of people handing in old or unwanted firearms has been steady since the amnesty began.

“If people in the Limestone Coast Local Service Area have a firearm they no longer want or need, they can hand it into the local police station or participating licenced firearms dealer,” Supt Hill said.

There are seven participating licenced firearms dealers in the South East including in Naracoorte, Kingston and Mount Gambier.

“Whether it is an inherited family heirloom, an old gun left in the back of the shed, received from a friend or family, or a firearm legally registered but no longer needed, they all remain a potential risk to community safety,” Supt Hill said.

“The amnesty provides an opportunity to safely dispose of a firearm without cost or penalty.”

Compensation is not offered for firearms surrendered through the amnesty, but people can remain anonymous when surrendering an unauthorised firearm or other unauthorised item for destruction.

The protection of the amnesty is only available if a person surrenders it to a police station or licensed firearms dealer.

The amnesty does not apply for persons who maintain possession of an unauthorised or illegal firearm, and police will investigate any surrendered firearm recorded as stolen.

Being caught with an unregistered firearm outside amnesty conditions could result in a fine of up to $35,000, up to seven years in jail, and a criminal record.

Information about the National Firearms Amnesty is available on the Crime Stoppers website.