Northern firearms amnesties held as illegal firearms taskforce continues

A major firearms amnesty drive will take place across Northern Tasmania this weekend so people can hand in their firearms -unregistered or otherwise- without fear of being prosecuted.

Inspector Scott Flude said that people will be able to hand in their firearms at the following locations on Saturday between 10am-2pm:

Carrick Community Centre Main Street Carrick

Newnham Police Station

Pipers River Fire Station, Pipers River

St Helens Police Station

In addition, those people who are unable to attend in person can call Deloraine Police Station on 67012194 during business hours this week until Friday.

“This will enable people to arrange for police to attend and pickup firearms from any private residences in the North,” Inspector Flude said.

Police have seized 19 illegal firearms over the past two weeks as part of an ongoing targeted police operation in Northern District.

The taskforce involves members of Launceston CIB specifically concentrating on firearm crime, actively investigating intelligence and conducting a number of searches in the Launceston area, which has resulted in the seizure of a number of illegal firearms and drugs.

“Any illicit firearm is a concern to Tasmania Police. Firearms in the wrong hands are dangerous and are of utmost concern to police,” Detective Inspector Craig Fox said.

“We also take every opportunity to take illegal firearms off our streets by having a permanent firearms amnesty, carrying out random firearms storage inspections and investigating diligently when firearms incidents or thefts occur.

Detective Inspector Fox said that people with information about illegal firearms should contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

“We know that there are people out there in the community who know people in possession of illegal firearms. Please come forward provide information so we can take these illegal firearms off the street permanently.

Anyone with information about stolen firearms or illegal firearms activity is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.