Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Licensed firearms dealers in Bendigo say the National Firearms Amnesty is yielding the results they expected it would.
About a dozen firearms have been surrendered to Smiths Outdoors, one of Bendigo’s two drop-off points, in the first two weeks of the amnesty.
Owner Matt Smith said they were all old air rifles or shotguns people had found left behind from their grandparents.
“I’m pretty much getting what I expected we would get,” he said.
The national amnesty runs from July to September where people can surrender unregistered firearms, cartridge ammunition, imitation firearms or weapons without prosecution.
Mr Smith said people were often a little concerned about coming in at first, but said it was no big deal.
“I’m happy for them to walk in and bring it in,” he said.
“Police aren’t interested in names – they just want to get the stuff off the streets.”
Rhinosport Australia owner Danny Ryan said he had received two very old Chinese air rifles.
“It’s pretty much what we thought would come out of this amnesty,” he said.
The Epsom-based dealer encouraged anyone wanting to hand something in to make contact.
Firearms can be taken to either dealer in Bendigo, or another drop-off point listed on the Victoria Police website. No firearms should be taken into the police station.
For more details, visit firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or call the firearms amnesty national hotline on 1800 909 826.