131 illegal and unregistered firearms destroyed by ACT Policing
More than 130 surrendered and seized firearms were destroyed by ACT Policing yesterday (Wednesday, 31 January 2024) as part of the ongoing firearms amnesty and police operations.
The destroyed weapons included handguns, shotguns, rifles and gel blasters.
More than 620 firearms have been surrendered to police since the permanent Firearms Amnesty began on 1 July 2021.
ACT Policing Inspector Dennis Gellatly said unregistered and illegal firearms posed a great threat to the community.
“Weapons such rifles, handguns and gel blasters (which are made to very closely resemble conventional firearms) are illegal to own in the ACT and police continue to seize them,” Inspector Gellatly said.
“Removing these weapons from the community means they can’t be used for criminal activity such as aggravated burglaries or violent assaults.”
“If you have an old, unwanted or unregistered firearm then please do the right thing, call the AFP’s Firearms Registry and arrange for those guns to be disposed of in a safe way.”
The National Firearms Amnesty is a permanent initiative by the Federal Government, Crime Stoppers and local police. The amnesty aims to remove unwanted, unregistered or illicit firearms from the community.
ACT Policing is also urging anyone with information about illegal firearms to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.
People wanting to surrender their firearms or firearm-related items, can do so by calling the ACT Firearms Registry on (02) 5126 9076 or actfirearmsregistry@afp.gov.au.
More information about the National Firearms Amnesty is available from the Crime Stoppers website.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au