Australia: Handgun buyback extended

[Triad]

Article

09dec03

QUEENSLAND'S handgun owners have been given a six-month extension on a buyback and amnesty scheme.

The buyback, which will now end on June 30 next year, was introduced after uniform national handgun laws came into effect in July.

Queensland Police Minister Tony McGrady said today about 8000 handguns and 45,000 parts and accessories had been surrendered in the state since July.

Licensed shooters had been paid almost $11 million in compensation, two-thirds of which was being funded by the Commonwealth, Mr McGrady said.

Nationally, more than $43 million has been spent on buying back around 35,000 handguns.

The buyback and amnesty does not affect people who hold weapons for occupational purposes such as farmers or security guards.

Mobile buyback units will visit regional centres in the next six months.

 

[ClonaKilty]

"Mobile buyback units will visit regional centres in the next six months."

Orwellian. When do they go from "passive" to "active" mode?

 

[geekWithA.45]

Only 35k handguns turned in?

Whenevera "turn them in period" gets extended, you know it's a flop.

I don't know how many handguns the australian civvies have, but I certainly hope it's in the millions and millions, of which a mere trickle were sacrificed.



Methinks this bodes well for our aussie cousins.

Well done, mates, well done.

 

[DadOfThree]

Queensland Police Minister Tony McGrady said today about 8000 handguns and 45,000 parts and accessories had been surrendered in the state since July

So all gun parts are illegal too? Is it illegal to have ammo also? I have so many loose rounds in the bottoms of drawers, down in the seat of my truck, stuck in little pockets on gym bags, etc. that I would never be able to collect it all. That's another reason I won't fly. I would hate to end up being stripped searched because a couple of .22 rounds fell out of my carry on.