Amnesty on weapons

POLICE are encouraging people to surrender any illegal firearms or weapons to their local police station without penalty during Victoria Police’s Firearms and Weapons Amnesty.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Gaskin from the Narre Warren Police Station said the amnesty gave people with unregistered firearms the chance to hand them in without prosecution.
Det Sen Sgt Gaskin said that in the past, police had received a substantial amount of weapons during the amnesty.
“The amnesty allows police to safely remove them from our streets and minimise any potential use,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said the amnesty addressed potential weapon issues early on, while offering assistance to people who may wish to dispose of firearms they no longer use.
The amnesty follows a successful weapon handover in Melbourne’s west last year, which resulted in a diverse range of items being handed in.
These included a cross bow, three daggers in scabbards, three decorative swords, two hand-carved wooden sheaths containing swords, three samurai bronze swords, eight guns with ammunition, four guns, six firearms and a quantity ammunition.
“We are giving people fair warning and the opportunity to help make their community safer for everyone,” Mr Walshe said.
Police have also advised people that any military ordnance or explosives such as hand grenades should not be transported anywhere and people should instead contact police who will arrange safe disposal.
All weapons must be wrapped in paper, plastic or cloth prior to disposal.
“Anyone who chooses not to use this opportunity and carries a knife will be dealt with by police to the full extent of the law, so we ask people to make the right choice and hand in knives and firearms during this time,” Mr Walshe said.
-Kelly Yates