The Firearms Amnesty has ended but Queenslanders can still surrender small arms ammunition anonymously.
Natural Resources Andrew Cripps visited the State Government explosives reserve at Helidon today to view the disposal of part of a large cache of unwanted ammunition handed in across the State.
“On average, approximately 500,000 rounds of sporting small arms ammunition is surrendered each year by the public as part of an ongoing Queensland Government amnesty,” Mr Cripps said.
“During 2012, a total of 1572kg of ammunition was collected at Queensland’s four explosives reserves.
“In the first three months of 2013 alone, more than 556kg of ammunition has been collected and sent to our four explosives reserves for incineration.”
Mr Cripps said the ammunition amnesty was designed to help prevent injuries and fatalities which could occur when ammunition was thrown away carelessly, not stored correctly or left where children or inexperienced and unlicensed persons could access it.
“Any person without a firearms licence or an authority to collect ammunition faces a fine of up to $44,000 under the Explosives Act 1999 for unlawful possession of ammunition,” he said.
“The amnesty applies to sporting small arms ammunition with a calibre up to 19mm in brass and steel cases, as well as shotgun ammunition including brass and plastic shells up to 19mm.
“People can hand in unwanted sporting small arms ammunition to a network of licensed firearms dealers throughout Queensland.
“The small arms ammunition amnesty is very much in the interests of public safety.
“It’s a streamlined and effective arrangement that makes it easy for people to surrender this type of low-hazard ammunition – all they have to do is hand it in to an authorised firearms dealer.
“The small arms ammunition surrender system involves minimal paperwork, and the ammunition can be handed in anonymously.”
Mr Cripps said while the broader weapons and firearms amnesty concluded on 30 April, the arrangements for the surrender of small arms ammunition would continue.
