Amnesty removes 1200 guns across SA

A gun amnesty in South Australia has removed more than 1200 unwanted or illegal weapons from the streets, but police say none has been linked to crimes.

The amnesty began last month and will run until October 31 with the haul so far including 60 handguns, more than 1000 rifles and a number of sawn-off rifles.

South Australian Police Minister Jennifer Rankine said taking such a large number of guns out of circulation helped make the community safer.

“This is 1200 fewer opportunities for people to be harmed or threatened in our community,” Ms Rankine said.

Police Commissioner Gary Burns said there had been a growing trend over recent years for people to hand in unwanted or illegal guns at times when they would not face questioning over how a weapon came into their possession.

In 2008 about 1100 guns were handed in during an amnesty period and in 2009 more than 1700 guns were given up.

With half of the current amnesty still to run, the number of weapons handed in so far suggests even more guns will be surrendered in 2012.

Mr Burns said checks had not linked any guns to crimes but many were the types often favoured by offenders.

“You can see hand guns, modified weapons … any of these types of weapons can be used in any types of crime,” he said.

Mr Burns said the stronger response to the amnesty this year did not necessarily suggest there was a growing problem with illegal or unwanted guns in the community.

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