By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges residents are being urged to hand in any unwanted, unregistered or illegal firearms as part of a two-month amnesty.
The amnesty, which kicked off on November 1, allows residents to surrender firearms and weapons to police stations in 12 local government areas, including the Macedon Ranges, without fear of prosecution.
The Campaspe, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander regions will also be affected.
It’s the first amnesty to be held in Victoria since the national amnesty in 2007, when more than 340 items were handed in to police stations and firearm dealers in Victoria’s western region.
Victoria Police Superintendent Paul Margetts said residents had until December 31 to present to the police any illegal or unwanted forearms for them to be destroyed.
“During this amnesty, Victorians will be able to anonymously surrender firearms to their local police station or a licensed firearms dealer,” he said.
“As far as police are concerned, if just one illicit firearm or weapon is destroyed then that has made Victoria safer.”
Residents are encouraged to ring their police station before bringing items in.
All firearms must be wrapped in paper, plastic or cloth and be transported to a police station in a safe and secure manner.
