Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Joel said: ‘A total of 20 firearms were handed to police officers at Sorell Police Station since 10.00 am this morning as part of an amnesty to support Operation Unification’.

This follows on from 10 firearms surrendered at Launceston Police Station on Thursday 19 June 2014.

Breakdown from Sorell Police Station:
1. Shotguns – 1 (colonial era double barrel shotgun);
2. Rifles – 16 (including WWII era and one Carbine M1 semi-automatic capable of firing 30 rounds);
4. Handguns – 3 including a ‘Colt’ and ‘Luger’;
5. Miscellaneous – ammunition, firearm components and holsters.

Senior Sergeant Joel said: ‘Of the 20 firearms surrendered, 16 were unregistered. The community can be assured that if guns are surrendered at amnesties then they can do so without fear of charges or legal action being taken’.

Over coming weeks the firearms will be examined and then destroyed.

Senior Sergeant Joel said: ‘The amnesty supports our criminal investigation activities and with a spike in gun related crime across Australia we want to make this a whole of community solution’.

Senior Sergeant Joel said: ‘We would have been content with a single unwanted firearm coming into our possession. As it stands, the Tasmanian community has made a real statement about taking unwanted and illicit firearms taken out of the reach of criminals’.

‘Tasmanians continue to support these Amnesties and say no to unwanted and illicit firearms in our community’.

Operation Unification enters its second week on Monday 23 June 2014.

Three people have been arrested for firearm offences after targeted searches in the last week as part of Operation Unification, including possession of unregistered firearms. A 24 year old man from Hobart was charged in Launceston with possessing an unregistered pistol. A 40 year old man from New Norfolk was charged with possession of an unregistered rifle and a 42 year old eastern shore man was charged with possession of an unregistered pistol.

A total of three firearms have been seized by police conducting targeted searches.

Senior Sergeant Joel said: ‘Operation Unification is having a positive impact on getting unwanted and illicit firearms out of our community’.

Anyone with information about gun related crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.