Mr BALDWIN - 1996-05-14
What has been the result so far of the recently-introduced gun amnesty?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I welcome the member's question, and I am happy to advise that we have had an excellent result from the amnesty.
Mrs Hickey: It is in your statement.
Mr STONE: It is even better than that, based on the figures. The Leader of the Opposition interjects that it is in my statement. Notwithstanding that, the outcome has been
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even better. I was advised this morning that we have received 17 A-class firearms, 17 B-class firearms, 1 deactivated revolver, 1 legal folding stock, 1 firearm cleaning kit, 4 lots of assorted ammunition, 5 tins of starter bullets, 1 cartridge belt, 2 hand-grips for a machine-gun and 1 butt of a military-type weapon - some 50 items in all. That is after only a single week of this amnesty.
This amnesty relates only to unlicensed and unregistered firearms. It is not to be confused with the broader amnesty that will be discussed in my ministerial statement. However, I congratulate all Territorians who have acted responsibly, looked in the cupboard, realised that they are not registered to keep a particular firearm, recognised that they have no need of it and have taken it to their local police station and handed it in without penalty. In the Territory, we have declared amnesties roughly every 2 to 3 years and they have always been successful. However, this has been particularly successful. We have never before received 50 firearms and pieces in the first week.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Stuart shakes his head. I am a little disappointed by his attitude because, all around this country, a fairly nonpartisan approach has been adopted on this very important issue.
I continue to encourage people, if they have an unregistered firearm, to hand it in at the police station. The larger amnesty, with the broader effect, will come into force some months from now.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I welcome the member's question, and I am happy to advise that we have had an excellent result from the amnesty.
Mrs Hickey: It is in your statement.
Mr STONE: It is even better than that, based on the figures. The Leader of the Opposition interjects that it is in my statement. Notwithstanding that, the outcome has been
Page 1333
even better. I was advised this morning that we have received 17 A-class firearms, 17 B-class firearms, 1 deactivated revolver, 1 legal folding stock, 1 firearm cleaning kit, 4 lots of assorted ammunition, 5 tins of starter bullets, 1 cartridge belt, 2 hand-grips for a machine-gun and 1 butt of a military-type weapon - some 50 items in all. That is after only a single week of this amnesty.
This amnesty relates only to unlicensed and unregistered firearms. It is not to be confused with the broader amnesty that will be discussed in my ministerial statement. However, I congratulate all Territorians who have acted responsibly, looked in the cupboard, realised that they are not registered to keep a particular firearm, recognised that they have no need of it and have taken it to their local police station and handed it in without penalty. In the Territory, we have declared amnesties roughly every 2 to 3 years and they have always been successful. However, this has been particularly successful. We have never before received 50 firearms and pieces in the first week.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Stuart shakes his head. I am a little disappointed by his attitude because, all around this country, a fairly nonpartisan approach has been adopted on this very important issue.
I continue to encourage people, if they have an unregistered firearm, to hand it in at the police station. The larger amnesty, with the broader effect, will come into force some months from now.
Page 1334
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016