Gun Buy Back Scheme - The Australian National Audit Office

Implementation of the Scheme in the
States
This chapter summarises the ANAO’s findings in relation to the
management of the surrender process by the AFP in the ACT. It also
refers to the findings of the Auditors-General for the NSW, ACT, Northern
Territory and Victoria which resulted from audit work on the scheme in
their respective jurisdictions. This chapter also notes the scope of audit
work on the buy-back scheme which has yet to be completed in other
States.
The Australian Capital Territory
Management of firearms surrender and destruction
Background
3 81 The AFP, as provider of community policing services under
contract to the ACT Government, was responsible for the
management of firearms surrender and destruction in the ACT.
The ACT Firearms Act 1996 provides for an AFP officer to be
appointed as Registrar of Firearms. The Registrar of Firearms is
responsible to the ACT Attorney-General for firearms control
including licensing and registration.
Implementation of the buy-back scheme in the ACT
3 82 A firearms compensation scheme was already in operation in the
ACT before the APMC decision. This was implemented by the
ACT Government following the introduction of the ACT Weapons
Act 1991 which prohibited certain self-loading military-style
firearms. This scheme was open to all types of firearms if the
owner wished to surrender the weapon. Compensation was based
on valuation by a licensed firearms dealer. A total of 829 firearms
had been surrendered under this scheme by 16 May 1996.
3 83 The ACT Legislative Assembly passed the Weapons (Amendment)
Act (No.2) 1996 on 17 May 1996. This gave effect to the
Nationwide Agreement on Firearms to prohibit semi-automatic
firearms and pump-action shotguns.
3 84 The AFP advised the ANAO that separate records were maintained
for weapons surrendered before 17 May 1996. Compensation for
these weapons was paid out of ACT Government funds. The first
The Gun Buy-Back Scheme 61