Only 20 firearms were surrendered to police within the Orana Mid Western district as part of the 2018 state-wide Firearms Amnesty.
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However, that tally is expected to grow as gun dealers have until mid-November to hand over firearms submitted to them.
Police received more than 8300 guns – including 413 shotguns and 1373 rifles – across the state during the amnesty which ran from July 1 to September 30.
Police Minister Troy Grant said any unregistered firearm taken off the streets of Dubbo and the wider district is a success.
“Dubbo did have a high uptake at the last amnesty,” he said.
“The fact only 20 firearms have been surrendered to police this time shows that the numbers of unregistered firearms in the region have dropped substantially.
“We are absolutely focused on doing everything we can to keep people safe, and this amnesty has allowed police to reduce the number of unregistered firearms in the community significantly.”
Dubbo’s Macquarie ARMS Co-Owner Bob Dowling said he did not have many firearms handed into him this year.
“It appears due to the big take up last year that this year was a bit quieter,” he said.
“The small number of guns that were handed into us have not been collected yet.”
Mr Grant commended the community for helping to remove firearms and make neighbourhoods safer.
“Police have successfully captured thousands of firearms – either for destruction or registration – including a replica colt AR-15 machine gun, .36 colt 1851 navy six chamber percussion revolver and eight .303 Lee Enfield bolt action repeater rifles,” he said.
“The amnesty arrangements were a great opportunity for people to safely surrender their firearms or other weapons, without fear of prosecution.”
Anyone who has not registered or disposed of a firearm or firearm-related parts during the amnesty could now face a hefty penalty.
It appears due to the big take up last year that this year was a bit quieter.
- Bob Dowling