Police jurisdictions around the country are targetting illicit firearms as part of Operation Unification.

Illicit firearms are weapons that are illegally imported or manufactured in Australia, stolen from registered owners and / or may be used in criminal activities.

Operation Unification – Illicit Firearmswill be conducted Australia-wide over the next two weeks and aims to increase community awareness about the dangers of illicit firearms.

“Police are working together across Australia to get illicit firearms off our streets but we need help from the community,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Crime and Operations Richard Cowling.

“Resources will be focussed on acting upon reports generated by Crime Stoppers. Resulting actions could include intelligence preparation through liaison with all agencies involved and targeted, planned or pro-active searches.

“Information from the public is a vital tool in solving crime. Members of the public who may have any information that can be used to assist police in tackling the problem of illicit firearms and associated criminal activity are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and can do so anonymously.

“The aim of this campaign is to remove illicit firearms from the community and especially criminals for the safety of everyone and police will act on any information received,” said Mr Cowling.

Each year Tasmania Police destroys about 1,400 firearms, including handguns, rifles, shot guns and semi automatic firearms. Over the past five years to date, police have destroyed more than 6,500 firearms, preventing their potential use in criminal activity.

Operation Unificationalso serves as a reminder for firearm owners to ensure that they and their firearms are registered and that their firearms are safely secured. More safety information can be found on the Tasmania Police website www.police.tas.gov.au

“This campaign isn’t targeting firearm owners who do the right thing and are registering themselves and the firearms, it’s tackling the issue of illegal firearms to prevent them ending up in the wrong hands,” said Mr Cowling.

In Tasmania members of the public are reminded of a permanent amnesty for handing in firearms. This permanent amnesty, under the Firearms act 1996, allows any unauthorised firearms to be handed in to a police station with no action taken in relation to the illegal possession of the firearms.

Tasmania Police regularly conducts firearms checks. In the last financial year to date, more than 3000 inspections have been undertaken.

Operation Unification – Illicit Firearms starts tomorrow (Friday 24 May) and concludes on Friday 7 June.