A new police taskforce will crackdown on illegal guns following a spate of shootings across Launceston.
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In the past six weeks alone, there have been 10 shootings reported to Tasmania Police in the Launceston area.
Tasmania Police Northern Commander Stuart Wilkinson said the fact people were carrying guns in the community - particularly when loaded - was a pressing concern.
It is for this reason, he said police will concentrate their efforts and resources towards reducing the problem.
"They are dangerous in the wrong hands," he said.
"I don't want to play down the seriousness of people possessing firearms - and loaded - while they are moving around the community.
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"It is dangerous no matter what your intent is. Accidents occur with firearms and the consequences can be fatal and if not, very serious."
The new taskforce will investigate intelligence related to guns in a bid to remove as many illegal firearms off the street.
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While police already take every opportunity to seize illegal firearms through a permanent firearms amnesty, Commander Wilkinson said the refocused effort through the taskforce will be taking it on the road.
"Additional mobile firearms amnesties across both northern and western districts are planned for the coming weeks, where people can hand in their unregistered firearms without fear of being prosecuted," he said.
"Firearms in the wrong hands are extremely dangerous and that is why we focus heavily on firearm crime and why we respond swiftly to firearm crime because they are dangerous."
Commander Wilkinson said anyone with information about stolen firearms or illegal firearms activity is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000
"We know that there are people out there in the community who know people in possession of illegal firearms. Please come forward and provide information so we can take these illegal firearms off the street permanently," he said.
"That is how police do their job - by information passed onto us by the community."
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