Police are encouraging people to hand in unwanted or illegal firearms at an amnesty in Bridgewater this weekend. 

Between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 3 July, police will be at the Greenpoint Shopping Precinct in the Police Command Bus, to receive unwanted and illegal firearms, ammunition, and gel blasters that imitate firearms, from the community. 

“Members of the community can hand in firearms, ammunition and gel blasters that imitate firearms, at a police firearms amnesty, without fear of being prosecuted for the possession,” said Senior Sergeant Jason Klug.

“Every illicit firearm in the community is a concern to Tasmania Police, and I encourage anyone with one to hand them in,” he said. 

Tasmania Police has a permanent firearms amnesty and regularly conducts mobile firearms amnesties across the state. This Saturday Tasmania is also participating in the National amnesty which is a good reminder for people to hand in their unwanted and unregistered/illegal firearms.

When a person is attending a mobile firearms amnesty to surrender a firearm or ammunition, they are asked to drive up to the location, leave the items in their car, and walk up and speak to officers on site who will safely retrieve the items. 

“Anyone unable or uncomfortable to take items to the amnesty, can attend the location and speak to officers, or phone their local police station, and police will organise collection from a private residence,” Senior Sergeant Klug said. 

“Between July and September, Crime Stoppers are conducting a National Illegal Firearms Campaign, aimed at reducing the number of unwanted, unregistered and illegal firearms in the community by encouraging people to hand in firearms,” he said.

Anyone who knows anything about illegal firearms in the community is encouraged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously online at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Details regarding the Tasmania Police permanent firearms amnesty are available on the Tasmania Police website at https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/