VICTORIANS in the state's north west are being urged to hand in any unwanted, unregistered, or illegal firearms this November.
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The amnesty, which starts on Sunday, allows people to surrender firearms and weapons to a Licensed Firearm Dealer or police stations in the Swan Hill, Gannawarra, and Buloke areas without fear of prosecution.
This follows the firearms amnesties that took place late last year and in March across the western region, including Bendigo and the Macedon Ranges.
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Inspector Haydn Downes said the community had until November 30 to surrender any illegal or unwanted firearms for them to be destroyed.
"There are currently more than 856,000 registered firearms across the state," Inspector Downes said.
"But it's the unregistered firearms and dangerous weapons in the community that Victoria Police are constantly trying to reduce.
"In previous amnesties, we've seen a number of items voluntarily surrendered, including high-powered firearms, handguns, imitation firearms, and air rifles.
"In our local area during this amnesty, Victorians will be able to anonymously surrender firearms to their local police station or a licensed firearms dealer.
"We are asking everyone to contribute to improving community safety by surrendering items that could pose a danger - particularly if they fell into the wrong hands."
Inspector Downes said the amnesty was also a reminder for registered firearm owners to review their firearm storage practices to ensure their firearms were safely secured and in accordance with legislative requirements.
"The majority of registered firearm owners are very responsible and treat firearm ownership with the seriousness that it deserves," Inspector Downes said.
"However, in regional Victoria it's important to maintain vigilance because rural and regional property owners are at risk of firearm theft due to geographic isolation."
Inspector Downes said people should ring their local police station before bringing items in.
All firearms should be wrapped in paper, plastic, or cloth and transported to a police station in a safe and secure manner.
Anyone who had a registered firearm could hand the item to a Licensed Firearm Dealer at any time for sale or destruction.
The penalty for possessing an unregistered firearm started from $19,800 or two years imprisonment.
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