Gun control

More than 250,000 illegal firearms to be removed from the streets in biggest gun control move since 1996 Port Arthur massacre

Australia's first gun amnesty since the Port Arthur massacre will pull more than 250,000 illegal firearms from the streets, according to the Federal Government.

Australians who illegally hold guns will be allowed to hand in their weapons without fear of prosecution for a period of three months starting in July.

The amnesty will not include a buyback scheme, Justice Minister Michael Keenan told The Sunday Mail.

'This is the first Australia wide gun amnesty since 1996, when the Howard government took action following the devastation of the Port Arthur Massacre,' Mr Keenan said.

In a statement released last month, Mr Keenan said one illegal gun on the streets of Australia is one too many.

'Just one illegal firearm is deadly. In the wrong hands illegal guns are a threat to every Australian,' he said. Ministers agreed to conduct the gun amnesty late last year.