By Community Program Approach best for National Firearms Amnesty
Industry Backs Community Program Approach for Ongoing National Firearms Amnesty
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of an ongoing National Firearms Amnesty to begin in 2020.
SIFA Spokeswoman Laura Patterson says the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia has called for an ongoing National Firearms Amnesty for years, and that industry has already offered its knowledge and systems capabilities in order to make the Amnesty an enduring success across all Australian states and territories.
“We’ve always taken our role in Australian community safety very seriously and stand ready to detail our recommendation for the ongoing management, reporting and review of Amnesty firearms movements to all levels of government and enforcement agencies,” Ms Patterson says.
“SIFA’s Community Program Approach would ensure federal, state or territory police are not encumbered by extra compliance; industry would volunteer its existing procedural infrastructure and Licensed Firearms Dealer Shopfront Network for the surrender, disposal or registration of firearms. This Community Program approach has been proven in several states over the last decades,” Ms Patterson says.
SIFA’s Community Program approach would enable government, law enforcement and industry to partner meaningfully and transparently to reduce the number of unregistered firearms in our communities, to enhance community safety and to foster a shared sense of purpose between bodies charged and trusted with the important job of Australian firearms management.
“We look forward to the opportunity to volunteer our skills, knowledge, expertise and networks to the successful implementation of Australia’s Ongoing National Firearms Amnesty,” Ms Patterson says.
