Firearms surrendered at North West Amnesty

Several illegal and unwanted items were surrendered to police at mobile firearms amnesty locations in North West Tasmania last weekend.

“Over the weekend, police conducted a mobile firearms amnesty at Devonport, Burnie, Wynyard and Smithton, for people to surrender illegal and unwanted items without fear of being prosecuted for the possession,” said Acting Inspector Philip Norton.

“Every illicit firearm is a concern to Tasmania Police, and it’s pleasing that people took the opportunity to surrender items to police – ensuring the items can’t end up in the wrong hands.”

Between Saturday 26 August and Sunday 27 August, surrendered to police in North West Tasmania were:

• 30 firearms including 6 pistols, 11 shotguns, 11 rifles, and 2 gel blasters that have the appearance of a firearm
• 10 boxes of various ammunition.•

“Tasmania Police will continue with the mobile firearms amnesty over the coming two weeks in the north and south of the state,” said Acting Inspector Norton.

“If you have a firearm that you know you shouldn’t have, please surrender it at one of the upcoming amnesty days to ensure there is no potential for it to get into the wrong hands and become a danger.”

Over the coming weeks the mobile amnesty will be:

Saturday 2 September: 

• EXETER: 9am-11am, at Winkleigh Fire Station, 1068 Winkleigh Road, Winkleigh
• SCOTTSDALE: 1pm-3pm, Scottsdale Recreation Ground, George Street, Scottsdale

Sunday 3 September: 

• CAMPBELL TOWN: 9am-11am, Campbell Town Fire Station, 79 High Street, Campbell Town
• DELORAINE: 1pm-3pm, Rotary Function Centre, 6 Alverstone Drive, Deloraine

Saturday 9 September: 

• BRIDGEWATER: 10am-2pm, Bridgewater Police Station, Green Point Road

Sunday 10 September: 

• *GLENORCHY: 10am-2pm, *Glenorchy Police Station, Main Road, Glenorchy (*location changed from Bridgewater Police Station).

“Mobile amnesties are not the only way someone can surrender firearms to police,” said Acting Inspector Norton.

“Tasmania has a permanent firearms amnesty which means people can surrender items to police at any time without being prosecuted for the possession.”

Firearms and ammunition can be surrendered to police at any time by phoning police on 131 444, and organising to attend a police station, or for an officer to attend your residence for collection.

Anyone with information about stolen or illegal firearms in the community can do their part, by providing information to police on 131 444 or to Crime Stoppers anonymously online at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.