MEDIA RELEASE: Sound and fury over firearms, signifying nothing

Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm has congratulated Justice Minister Michael Keenan on his impressive haul of firearms during the current amnesty nearing its conclusion

More than 25,000 firearms have been surrendered across Australia since July 1 as the nation’s bikies, bank robbers and drug dealers take advantage of the no-questions-asked amnesty and seize the opportunity to finally rid themselves of their illegal weapons.

With still another 18 days before the amnesty ends, Senator Leyonhjelm said he was confident the remaining 235,000 illegal firearms the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has estimated to be in the hands of criminals would be recovered.

“There’s no way any crim would risk continuing to hold an illegal firearm, given the threat of a fine of up to $280,000, up to 14 years in jail and a criminal record,” he said.

“Thanks to Minister Keenan we can all now sleep soundly in our beds, knowing our families and the community are protected with all these illegal guns being wiped from our streets.”

Senator Leyonhjelm said he was particularly relieved to learn that among the impressive haul of surrendered weapons was a Beaumont Adams revolver (circa 1856), a WWI era Lee Enfield rifle and two WWII US M1 carbines, along with an incalculable number of rusty Lithgow .22s bravely seized by families after raiding grandpa’s shed.

“We can be comforted in the knowledge that the Australian people have dumped 25,000 antique, inoperable, neglected or unwanted firearms on the doorsteps of our law enforcement agencies,” he said.

“As Minister Keenan has reminded us all, just one firearm in the wrong hands can be deadly.”

Media: Kelly Burke 0408 734 586