NTPFES - POLICE -Weapons amnesty - 1 to 31 December 2003

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	Home > Police > Services > Firearms Weapons amnesty - 1 to 31 December 2003 In view of the recent events involving commercially made slingshots being used to cause thousands of dollars damage to both commercial and private property across the Northern Territory, targeting windows and doors of businesses, homes, cars and buses, the Weapons Control Regulations have been amended prohibiting these weapons. As of 1 December 2003, catapults, shanghais, hunting slings and slingshots that are commercially made or intended for commercial distribution (including a frame or stock, and a sling, that is marketed for use as a part) have been redefined as Prohibited Weapons under Item 15, of Schedule 2 to the Weapons Control Regulations. The Weapons Control Act regulates the possession and use of Prohibited Weapons (excluding firearms) and Body Armour. Prohibited Weapons and Body Armour cannot be possessed unless the holder is exempted under the Act, or the Commissioner of Police has approved a person to possess these articles. The effect of the amendment is to prohibit the possession, use and sale of commercially made slingshots, unless authorised by exemption or an approval issued under the Weapons Control Act. This legislative change will not affect home made slingshots, which will continue to be defined as Controlled Weapons under Schedule 1. It is an offence to misuse a Controlled Weapon. To coincide with this legislative change to the Weapons Control Act, a general amnesty has been declared to give Territorians the opportunity to hand in any type of unwanted weapons or Body Armour. Information as to what constitutes a Prohibited Weapon or Body Armour is available from any police station. Retaining Prohibited Weapons or Body Armour If you own a Prohibited Weapon or Body Armour and you do not want to hand it in, you must apply for an approval to possess the article(s) as soon as possible. Applications for approval can be made at any police station during normal business hours. Handing in Weapons or Body Armour Subject to the following conditions, you can hand in or surrender any type of weapon or Body Armour at any Police Station, without fear of prosecution under the Weapons Control Act: The weapon or Body Armour is transported from its place of storage to a Police Station for surrender in a direct route as is reasonably practical. If it is not practical for you to attend a Police Station, you can make arrangements for a member of the Police Force to collect the weapon or Body Armour. Where you have made arrangements to surrender a weapon or Body Armour at a Police Station, or for a member of the Police Force to collect the article under the amnesty, the article must be securely stored between the time of making the arrangement and either the article being collected, or the person commencing to transport the article to the Police Station. The amnesty does not indemnify persons from using any type of weapon or Body Armour in an illegal act. How do I go about surrendering Weapons or Body Armour to Police? You can surrender unwanted Weapons or Body Armour at any Police Station during normal business hours. If you cannot attend a Police Station you can contact your nearest Police Station and make arrangements to either surrender the article at a later time (within 24 hours) or to have the article collected by a member of the Police Force. Further information or advice If you require further information or advice, you can contact the Firearms Policy & Records Unit on 8922 3544.

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Page Last Updated:
8 February, 2006