Illegal weapons are a serious social problem and a threat to society. Therefore, the government from January 1, 2023 to June 1, 2023. introduces amnesty for weapons.
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- The arms amnesty is a very good handing over opportunity and will thus contribute to the prevention of crime and accidents involving firearms. Weapons may fall into the wrong hands, for example in criminal environments, says Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl.
Experience shows that these are usually WWII weapons, heirlooms or property weapons that are inherited. This could be a previously unregistered or registered weapon. Therefore, we hope that the public will pay close attention to this. If you are in possession of a firearm and you are unsure if it is registered, this is also an opportunity to contact the police without risking a penalty.
After handing over the weapon, you can apply for its legalization, obtain permission to sell it, or deactivate it so that it becomes useless and can be kept. If a weapon is delivered for destruction, this can be done anonymously.
When a firearm is handed over, its illegal possession will not affect the outcome of future uses, nor will it lead to the loss of legally acquired firearms.
There is a fine or imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm
Amnesty also applies to ammunition, explosives and grenades. This also applies to illegal non-firearms such as electric weapons, illegal knives and tear gas. It is important that people with explosives and grenades do not bring them to the police, but contact the police first.
If you are still in possession of an illegal weapon after the amnesty ends, you risk being punished. The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is a fine or imprisonment of up to 3 months for violating the Firearms Act. More serious cases are punishable under the Criminal Code by up to six years' imprisonment.
Weapons amnesty has been carried out before:
- 2003/2004 - 35 weapons were handed over
- 2008 - 13 weapons were handed over
- 2017 - 8 weapons were handed over
The Norwegian Police Directorate has primary responsibility for the implementation of the national arms amnesty and will return with additional information on where citizens can drop off their weapons.
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Source: regjeringen
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