Media release
17 July 2017
As part of the Australia-wide firearms amnesty, an amnesty allowing people to surrender unlicensed or unregistered firearms to the Norfolk Island Police Force (NIPF) will take place from 22 July 2017 until 30 September 2017.
During the amnesty, people won"t be prosecuted for possessing a firearm for which they don"t hold a permit or licence, or which is unregistered, if they surrender that firearm to the NIPF—no questions asked.
The aim of the firearms amnesty is to improve public safety by reducing the number of unlicensed and unregistered firearms in our community.
For anyone who would like to surrender a firearm during the amnesty period, please contact NIPF on 22222 or bring the firearm to the police station during business hours. Please do not bring loaded firearms to the police station.
There is no charge to surrender a firearm, and no compensation is payable. The police will give receipts for surrendered firearms. Surrendered firearms will be disabled and disposed of by the NIPF.
Firearms include guns, airguns, air rifles, blank fire firearms, firearm parts, pistols, selfloading rimfire and centre-fire rifles, pump action shotguns and powerheads.
Separately, the NIPF is inspecting firearms and firearm storage units to make sure they comply with the firearms legislation.
From 1 August 2017, it will be illegal to own and use a firearm silencer on Norfolk Island without a permit. This means people who own a firearm silencer must contact NIPF before 1 August to obtain advice on seeking a permit or surrender the item.
Please contact the police at the station during business hours for more information about the amnesty, for advice on surrendering a prohibited weapon or ammunition or for questions about whether a firearm or firearm storage complies with the law.
Eric Hutchinson