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posted by n1 on Monday June 19 2017, @04:44AM   Printer-friendly
from the up-in-arms dept.

Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard

Australia has announced national gun amnesty, allowing people to hand in illegal or unregistered firearms to authorities. The move is aimed at curbing growing numbers of illegal weapons and comes amid an increased terrorist threat.

[...] The program starts on July 1 and within three months – until September 30 – anyone who possesses an unwanted or unregistered firearm, or a firearm-related item such as ammunition, can legally dispose of or register their firearm at "approved drop-off points in each State and Territory", without fear of being prosecuted, Justice Minister said.

Outside the amnesty period, however, those who are caught with illegal guns could face a fine of up to AU$280,000 (US$212,000), up to 14 years in prison and a criminal record.

“My expectation is it will probably not be the case that we will have hardened criminals who have made a big effort to get a hold on illegal guns would necessarily hand them in. The purpose is to reduce the number of unregistered and illicit firearms in the community,” Keenan said, as cited by AAP.

[...] Earlier this month, the authorities announced plans to build its first prison solely for militants with extreme views to prevent the radicalization of other inmates.

Source: RT


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  • (Score: 2) by tibman on Monday June 19 2017, @02:50PM (2 children)

    by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Monday June 19 2017, @02:50PM (#527928)

    Have to jump in here. The (Active) US Army isn't organized by state. A "unit" is made up of people from potentially all States and Territories. The Army considers it good to have diversity and different view points. Reserve and National Guard are inactive parts of the US Army that are organized by state. The National Guard is controlled by each State's Governor, not the President. I have no idea how fighting ready the Reserves are, tbh. But they would fit your criteria.

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  • (Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Monday June 19 2017, @10:57PM (1 child)

    by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Monday June 19 2017, @10:57PM (#528194)

    Actually the POTUS can take control of the National Guard "in time of natural disasters or other public emergencies" and override a Governor's authority.

    http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2007/01/12/governors-lose-in-power-struggle-over-national-guard/ [tenthamendmentcenter.com]

    So if the POTUS had to declare martial law due to "continuing terrorist threats" after something like, say a series of coordinated bombings across the US, he could do whatever he wanted with the NG units, including move them to different states.

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