Beagle Weekender Vol 214 July 2nd 2021

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community NSW Police Force and Crime Stoppers are calling for residents to register or surrender illegal firearms and ammuni on without being penalised for illegal possession, as part of the first ever permanent na7onal amnesty. Vol 16 September 15th 2017

28 Stoppers December 7th, Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Crime and2017 police across the country are giving Australians a chance to surrender for destruc7on unwanted or unregistered firearms, parts, and ammuni7on at no cost and without penalty for illegal possession.

Our ul7mate aim is for safer communi7es, and this starts with the safe storage of firearms, and the handing in of illegal firearms and ammuni7on. Taking illegal guns out of the community can never be a bad thing. The amnesty coincides with the launch of Gun Safe – a new online portal for managing firearms transac7ons in NSW. Designed with community safety top of mind, this plaZorm is the first of its kind replacing manual licence applica7ons with real 7me informa7on and verifica7on. The portal will be linked to the acquisi7on of firearms in NSW and disposal of firearms locally and interstate. This risk-based system no7fies the registry of unusual or unverified transac7ons which will reduce risk of harm in the community. Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Price AM said, “these ini7a7ves are moving towards a more community centric approach to firearms and safety. Previously, firearms amnes7es had a defini7ve 7me frame, but we understand that some members of the community might change their minds about handing in illegal firearms, so we want to give them the opportunity to do so any7me, anywhere.” “All of us have seen the harm that is caused by the unlawful use of a firearm and the impact on community confidence that oMen follows, which is why we all have a part to play in making our community safer – that’s our aim,” Mr Price said. Par7cipa7ng dealers can now accept and record unregistered firearms through the NSW Police Force’s new Gun Safe plaZorm. Dealers using the digital plaZorm can register firearms, prohibited weapons, gun parts and ammuni7on under the Amnesty. “For firearm dealers, Gun Safe provides enhanced recording and repor7ng func7ons, and real-7me informa7on about firearms on the system,” said Assistant Commissioner Cook. “The new amnesty enhances the services available to dealers on Gun Safe including more transac7ons, beyond buying and selling of registered firearms. For police, the system gives us more oversight, so we know when, where and how amnesty guns are being handed in.” More informa7on about the amnesty and surrendering, registering or selling unwanted firearms is available from crimestoppers.com.au/firearmsamnesty Residents currently under stay-at-home orders in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Central Coast will need to monitor the government advice on the NSW Health website to ensure they are legally able to hand in their firearms. Currently, handing in firearms does not meet the criteria of a reasonable excuse. beagle weekly : Vol 214 July 2nd 2021

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