February 8, 2022
Crime Stoppers Australia is urging people to speak up if they suspect someone they know owns an illegal firearm.
The group’s latest campaign, backed by the Federal Government, is encouraging family members, friends and anyone else who may have information, to share what they know with Crime Stoppers before it is too late.
“Illegal guns are more likely to be used in crime, more likely to be defective or insecurely stored, and more likely to be involved in accidents. There is no excuse – indeed no legitimate reason – for anyone in Australia to have an illicit firearm,” Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said.
“Our message today is simple – if you have an illicit firearm, do the right thing; do the right thing by your friends, family, and community; do the right thing by yourself – hand it in.
“If you surrender it, you can do so without penalty. The alternative is a knock on your door from the police and the potential for serious criminal penalties, including imprisonment.”
Assistant Minister for Community Safety Jason Wood said the campaign was part of an increased push to encourage owners of illegal, unregistered and unwanted firearms, parts and accessories to hand them in to be registered or destroyed.
“You may think you know a person well, but owners of illegal guns have not been subject to background checks and may not be on the radar of police,” Assistant Minister Wood said.
“With over 260,000 unregistered guns estimated to be in circulation in Australia, it is important for the community to step up and share information they know or suspect about an illegal gun.”
Crime Stoppers Australia chair Dr Vince Hughes said people should consider how they would feel if they had information about an illegal gun which was later used to harm or kill someone.
“Criminals often go to great lengths to obtain a firearm illegally and then conceal it from authorities, and it’s unlikely they would go to that effort unless they are prepared to use it,” Dr Hughes said.
“With the Commonwealth Government, police services across the country and Crime Stoppers working together on this campaign, you need to surrender that gun now or risk being reported by someone who has information about you.”
To share information about an unregistered or illegal gun, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000 or go online
More information about the national Firearms Amnesty – where people can surrender firearms without penalty – is also available online
- Related article: Firearms Amnesty Begins
