Surrender Your Illegal Gun or Face the Consequences
Crime Stoppers Australia and the Commonwealth Government proudly launched the second phase of the National Illicit Firearms campaign in Melbourne, Victoria last week.
Set within the revered State Library of Victoria, major media outlets assembled at the morning event, with journalists keen to find out all the details of the important campaign.
The Federal Government is urging Australians to hand in illegal firearms or face consequences, as part of a nation-wide crackdown.
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) February 3, 2022
There are an estimated 260,000 unregistered guns across the country. @gillianlant #9News pic.twitter.com/cqMWayHxLp
Victorians with unregistered or illegal firearms will be able to hand their weapons in without punishment as part of a three month amnesty. For more, @CameronBaud7 spoke with @CrimeStopperVic CEO, Stella Smith. https://t.co/lVc0ZO9HF1 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/W3Yx0i8KeP
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) February 3, 2022
Powerful Display
An array of recently seized/surrendered firearms were kindly supplied and guarded by Victoria Police. This provided not only a powerful visual for news cameras and photographers, but helped educate attendees on the types of illegal firearms in circulation.
"We All Have a Part to Play in Community Safety"
MCed by Crime Stoppers Australia Director Stella Smith, The Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Home Affairs, was the first distinguished guest speaker welcomed to the lectern.
“(This campaign) is all about what we can do to make sure we are protecting the Australian community,” Minister Andrews said.
“We know that illegal firearms often lead to quite serious crimes being committed within our community. We know that they are often secured very poorly, and that means that these firearms can go into the wrong hands”.
Minister Andrews’s address was followed by The Hon. Jason Wood MP, Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, who implored all Australians to play their part in removing firearms from the streets.
“There are estimated to be 260,000 illegal guns in circulation in Australia. That’s just way too many,” Assistant Minister Wood said.
Concluding the campaign launch’s official proceedings, Ms Smith issued a powerful call-to-action to the nation.
“We all have a part to play in community safety. Now is the time to share what you know about illegal guns with Crime Stoppers safely, and confidentially.”
“Say something before it’s too late.”- @stellasmith23. Proud to be helping launch Phase 2 of National Illicit Firearms campaign in Melbourne today. An incredibly important message all Australians should heed. @CrimeStopperVic pic.twitter.com/mu4yJf1iIj
— Lexie Jeuniewic (@LexieGJeuniewic) February 2, 2022
10,000 illegal firearms have been handed in under Australia's permanent gun amnesty. However, authorities believe hundreds of thousands are yet to be surrendered #springst | @pamurrell pic.twitter.com/4ir6kglpFH
— 10 News First Melbourne (@10NewsFirstMelb) February 3, 2022
Campaign Launch Livestream
For media that couldn’t attend the event due to geographical reasons or otherwise, a live stream from Crime Stoppers Australia and Crime Stoppers Victoria’s social media platforms provided the perfect substitute; and ensured the community at large didn’t miss a beat of the event.
With the official launch a success, Crime Stoppers Victoria is excited to play its part in keeping this important campaign front of mind in metropolitan and regional communities across the state.
More to come...
In the coming months, Crime Stoppers will be delivering a comprehensive engagement campaign through social media, advertising and community events, encouraging people with information about illegal guns to share what they know with Crime Stoppers.
Stay tuned on our social media platforms for the latest updates on this campaign, and of course – if you have information about an illegal firearm, make an anonymous report here or call 1800 333 000.