NSW Police, with the support of the State government, announced the state-wide Firearms Amnesty following the success of last year’s national campaign.

During the three-month period in 2017, NSW netted 24,831 firearms and 1898 firearm parts for destruction, sale or registration – more than any other state or territory – prompting another operation to reduce the number of unregistered and unwanted firearms in the community.

Anyone with an unregistered firearm or firearm-related item in their possession will have the chance to legally dispose, or register it, without penalty between 1 July and 30 September.

Deputy Commissioner Metropolitan Field Operations Jeff Loy said there has been continued interest from the community to dispose of unwanted firearms without penalty.

“In 2017, we had nearly 8000 firearms surrendered for destruction – including 951 handguns and 5558 shotguns – with about 15,000 handed in for registration and 2100 handed in for sale,” Deputy Commissioner Loy said.

“This is another opportunity for people to get rid of any firearm or firearm parts without the fear of prosecution.”

Gun owners wanting to dispose of firearms and firearm-related items under the amnesty can do so at Forbes police station.