Some facts about illicit firearms in Aust

ILLICIT FIREARMS IN AUSTRALIA:

* Australia has strong firearms controls but this also makes the weapons desirable, particularly among bikies and Middle Eastern crime groups.

* Gun trafficking is rising, particularly for banned weapons.

* Many of the illicit firearms in Australia were already here, or have been sourced through the Darknet and shipped through the post.

* But there are also weapons, redundant or forgotten, being stored by households or farming communities.

* 260,000 firearms, including 250,000 long arms and 10,000 hand guns, are believed to be in the community.

* Authorities fear there could be as many as 600,000.

* The booty likely includes single-shot pen guns and submachine guns made illegally in Australia.

* Actual firearms-related deaths in Australia are relatively low at 0.15 per cent, or about 230, a year.

* There are more than 2.9 million legally registered firearms in the country.

* Some 816,000 Australians hold firearm licences.

* The 1996 gun amnesty netted more than one million weapons.

THE AMNESTY:

* Will run from July 1 to September 30.

* It covers unregistered firearms, firearm parts, sound suppressors or silencers, magazines and ammunition.

* This includes firearms not surrendered during the 1996-1997 amnesty, guns from deceased estates and items found on rural properties.

* Items can be handed in in every state and territory.

* See website firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au for more details.

Sources: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics