Tassie tops gun handback

TASMANIA has handed in more unregistered guns during the National Firearm Amnesty than any other jurisdiction on a per capita basis.

Nearly 700 unregistered firearms have been handed over to Tasmania Police as the states and territories seek to take guns off the streets.

The initiative is the second national amnesty since the atrocity at Port Arthur 21 years ago which left 35 people dead.

Tasmania has seen 696 unregistered guns removed from the black market while Western Australia, which has a five-times larger population, has seen less than half that handed in.

Across the country more than 12,500 firearms have been surrendered in the amnesty’s first month.

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan praised the effort which has seen 400 guns surrendered every day.

“These were firearms that were at risk of ending up in the wrong hands,” he told the Mercury. “As we know, just one firearm in the wrong hands can be deadly.”

Rare items of historical significance have been handed in, including a pinfire pistol from the mid-1800s.

There will be mobile amnesties at Sorell Shopping Complex from 7am-12pm tomorrow, at the Huonville Apple Coolstore car park, 11am-4pm on August 14, and Oatlands Football Oval car park, 10am-2pm on August 16.

Information about how and where to surrender firearms can be found at www. firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or by calling 1800 909 826.