People in Northern Tasmania encouraged to surrender illegal firearms at amnesty

Police encourage anyone in Northern Tasmania with an illegal or unwanted firearm to surrender it at a mobile firearms amnesty location in the region this weekend.

“As part of a mobile firearms amnesty across Tasmania in August and September, this weekend people in Northern Tasmania are encouraged to surrender illegal or unwanted firearms without fear of being prosecuted for the possession,” said Senior Sergeant Robert King. 

“At mobile firearms amnesty locations in North-West Tasmania last weekend 30 firearms were handed in, and police know there are more illegal and unwanted firearms in our community. 

“If you’re in Northern Tasmania and have illegal or unwanted firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or gel blasters that have the appearance of a firearm, please surrender them at one of our amnesty locations this weekend.” 

The police mobile firearms 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

“If you have an illegal or unwanted firearm, please attend one of our amnesty locations, leave the items to surrender in your vehicle, walk up and speak to officers on site and they will safely retrieve the items,” said Senior Sergeant King. 

The mobile firearms amnesty will be in Southern Tasmania next weekend: 

• Saturday 9 September, 10am to 2pm, at Bridgewater Police Station 
• Sunday 10 September, 10am to 2pm, at *Glenorchy Police Station, Main Road Glenorchy (*location changed from Bridgewater Police Station).

Tasmania has a permanent firearms amnesty which means people can surrender items to police at any time without being prosecuted for the possession. Outside of a mobile amnesty, firearms and ammunition can be surrendered 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.