The amnesty on gel blaster firearms has ended, following a six-month period. Gel blasters were declared regulated imitation firearms from October last year.

Owners had a six-month amnesty period to apply for a firearms licence and register their gel blaster firearm.

Officer in Charge of the Firearms Branch Detective Superintendent Billy Thompson said there have been over 460 people apply for a firearms licence. “Those who have applied for a firearms licence but have not been able to complete the course and therefore obtain the licence are allowed to continue to retain their gel blaster firearms until their application for a firearms licence is finalised,” he said.

“Gel blaster firearms must be secured and not used during that period. “There have been six businesses that have applied for licences relating to gel blasters 136 people have applied to vary their firearms licence category. “Although the gel blaster amnesty has finished, those still with gel blaster firearms in their possession can still surrender them at a police station under the general firearms amnesty.”

Under the general amnesty, members of the public in possession of unwanted, unregistered or illegal firearms, firearm parts, mechanisms, fittings, prohibited firearm accessories, silencers and ammunition are encouraged to hand these in at a participating licensed firearms dealer’s premises or to police at any police station.

More information about gel blaster firearms is available at www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/firearms-and-weapons/gel-blasters.