Tasmania Police has taken almost 80 firearms, including a home-made weapon, out of circulation as part of Operation Unification – Illegal Guns Off Our Streets.

Of the haul, 36 firearms were seized by police and 42 were handed in at amnesties around the State. 19 of the seized firearms were illicit – unregistered with unauthorised possession. The remaining 17 seized firearms were registered, and further investigations are underway.

Included in the seized firearms was a home-made pistol seized from a property at George Town on Friday afternoon. An 18 year old man will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date on firearms charges.

The home-made firearm was capable of firing a projectile. It’s believed 2 other home-made firearms were made by the offender and one of these firearms has already been recovered. These firearms are illegal under the Firearms Act 1996.

Investigations into the whereabouts of a third firearm are continuing.

Police conducted 45 targetted searches during the two-week operation which finished yesterday. A total of sixteen people will face court on firearms related offences.

The Operation was a national initiative to get illegal and unwanted guns out of circulation.

“A total of 78 seized and handed-in guns is an excellent result. These firearms can’t be used in crime, or targeted for theft by criminals,” said Senior Sergeant Craig Joel.

“We would really like to thank those people who handed in guns voluntarily.”

In yesterday’s mobile amnesty at Sheffield, a quantity of ammunition and 12 firearms
were surrendered. The firearms were two 9mm sub-machine guns, a shotgun, 8 rifles and an air rifle.

We also want to thank those people who phoned Crime Stoppers with information.

“Information from the community is vital to helping us tackle gun crime.”

There is a permanent amnesty for handing in firearms. Under the Firearms Act 1996, any firearm can be handed into a police station and no further action will be taken in relation to possession offences.

Mobile firearms amnesties are planned for the local football grounds at:
> Sunday 6 July (9am-midday) – Queenstown
> Sunday 6 July (1pm-4pm) – Strahan
> Sunday 13 July (9am-midday) – Rosebery
> Sunday 13 July (1pm-4pm) – Zeehan
> Sunday 20 July (9am-3pm) – Smithton