THE call is on to hand in guns, as SA Police launch an amnesty period from today.
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The gun amnesty is in place from December 1 through to June 30, 2016.
SAPOL assistant commissioner Philip Newitt said this period was designed to remove or legitimise guns that may fall into dangerous hands.
“We hope people look at this as an opportunity to get rid of unregistered and unwanted guns,” he said.
“We know people who have firearm licenses, particularly in rural areas, may have old guns kicking around the farm that they’ve inherited.
“People should look through the back shed and get rid of those.”
In the 2013-14 year about two-thirds of guns reported stolen were from rural areas.
“What isn’t known is the number of unregistered guns stolen,” Mr Newitt said.
“We do know we turn up unregistered guns fairly regularly.”
As well as the option to hand in guns at police stations, SAPOL have partnered with 45 firearm dealers throughout the state to extend the amnesty.
The full list can be view here.
Licensed firearm holders will be able to lodge their unregistered firearms with dealers and apply to have it registered.
Mr Newitt said this process would see the usual registration fee waived, although dealers may charge a holding and inspection fee.
He said those applying to register their guns would still see the condition apply to show a genuine need for that firearm not met by others in their possession.
For those who do not hold a license, they will have the option to have their guns destroyed, or in some cases, rendered inoperable.
The state last held a gun amnesty during a three-month period in 2012.
Mr Newitt said 3162 guns were surrendered at police stations throughout the state.
“It was very successful and we saw some guns that should have been surrendered in the buy back in 1996,” he said.
“We’ve taken a different tack this time and we expect to surpass that number.”
Mr Newitt said guns could be a very durable item, unlike electrical goods.
“We see guns turn up all the time that were built in the 1930s and 1940s,” he said.
Mr Newitt said there are quite serious penalties for unregistered guns or unlicensed people in possession of a firearm.
This can be as high as $50,000 in fines or 10 years in prison, from a bottom end of $20,000 or four years in prison.
“We don’t want to criminalise; we want to help legitimise guns or get rid of them,” he said.
“We recognise the danger of unregistered guns and unlicensed people in possession of guns poses to the community.”
