Tasmania is participating in a National Firearms Amnesty from 1 July to 30 September, complementing the permanent firearms amnesty that has been in place in Tasmania since 1997.

During the period of the national amnesty Tasmania Police will conduct additional mobile firearms amnesties around the state.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Richard Cowling said:

“Don’t risk firearms falling into the wrong hands.

“Now is the time to put your mind at ease and register or hand in your unregistered or unwanted firearm.

“Firearms are often surrendered by people who don’t have a firearms licence or who don’t have the correct category of firearms licence,” he said.

Anyone caught with an unregistered firearm risks a fine of up to $14,000 and, or up to 2 years in jail or both. They also risk and a criminal record.

You may be eligible to register and keep your firearms if you are appropriately licensed or can obtain a licence. In some cases, you may also be eligible to sell your firearm to a firearms dealer.

Firearms and firearm-related items can be handed in at approved drop-off points in Tasmania. Drop-off points may include police stations, mobile stations or licensed firearms dealers.

Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into a public place. You could cause a security alert. Prior arrangement with police or a registered firearms dealer must be made before you take in a firearm.

If you have concerns about handling firearms or safely transporting them, contact Tasmania Police’s Firearms Services on 131 444 or go to www.police.tas.gov.au

Information about individual state and territory requirements, including how and where to surrender firearms, can also be obtained from firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or by calling 1800 909 826.