Police are hoping to continue the success of last year’s campaign, which saw almost 60,000 firearms and accessories handed in to police stations and licensed firearms dealers nationwide.

The Amnesty aims to improve public safety in the wake of a government review into the 2014 Martin Place Siege.

Chief Inspector Greg Flood said the campaign, which runs until September 30, would help get unregistered firearms off the streets, where they had the potential to land in unsafe hands.

“If you’ve got unregistered firearms, they’re open to break and steals and can be used in the hands of criminals,” Inspector Flood said.

He urged anyone hoping to get their gun registered, rather than surrender it, to take their firearm to a licensed dealer.

“If people are looking to get their firearms surrendered, sure, we can take those, but we’re encouraging  people to go to firearms dealers to have their firearms that aren’t currently registered, registered,” he said.

“Police just want firearms that are going to be surrendered for destruction.”

The Amnesty provides protection from prosecution to people while transporting an unregistered firearm to a drop-off point for the purpose of handing it in, with prior arrangements.

Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into public places, such as police stations.

For more information, contact the Firearms Registry Hotline on 1800 803 041 or visit the website.