A statewide gun amnesty aimed at reducing the number of weapons within the community has resulted in almost 60 firearms being handed in to Dubbo police.
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The figure makes up a small fraction of the overall tally of 14,466 but both numbers are expected to climb before the amnesty ends on September 30.
Orana Local Area Command Inspector Dan Skelly said the amnesty gave those in possession of weapons a chance to surrender them to police or gun dealers, and remove them from our streets.
“It’s no lie that guns kill people, and usually that happens when they fall into the wrong hands,” Insp Skelly said.
“What we’re saying to people is that we understand there are people out there who need guns, and people who are licensed to have registered firearms.
“But if you are in possession of weapons that you don’t have a licence to possess or they aren’t registered, bring them in to us or to a licensed gun shop and we’ll take them off your hands.
“What we’ve found a lot of is people whose grandfather may have had guns and has passed away, and they’re not sure what to do with them.
“When you look at the number of weapons handed in, it’s great to think that those guns are now off the streets but it’s also staggering to think that many were out there in the first place.”
While no weapons of any great note have been handed in to the Dubbo station, surrendered items of interest across NSW include a number of SKS assault rifles, .45 ACP Colt 1911 pistols, and silencers.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Dave Donohue, Major Events and Incident Group Commander, said the results from the first two months of the amnesty are encouraging.
“We have received a strong response from the community so far and it’s telling us that people are keen to do the right thing,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Donohue said.
“Every unregistered firearm that’s handed in is one less that would otherwise be at greater risk of falling into the wrong hands through theft, loss or unrecorded second-hand sales.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Donohue said its important people take the necessary measures to handle and transport firearms safely.
“We are continuing to encourage people to use this opportunity to register or surrender firearms until 30 September,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Donohue said.
“There are hefty penalties for possessing unregistered or prohibited firearms, so now is the time to dispose of them without penalty.”
For more information visit www.firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or call 1800 803 041.
