Canberrans with unregistered firearms can hand them in anonymously and not face prosecution as a firearm amnesty has launched.
Acting Chief Police Officer Liz McDonald was concerned about the number of "unlicensed, unregistered, unwanted" firearms in the Canberra community.
"We are concerned about the risk that this poses to our community," she said.
"We don't want them in the hands of those that will cause harm to us. That includes organised crime gangs."
The National Firearms Amnesty, launched on July 1, allows people to hand in unregistered weapons without facing penalties.
In the past 12 months more than 760 firearms have been seized or surrendered in the ACT.
The last firearm amnesty in 2017 ran for three months and resulted in 57,000 guns handed in across the country.
In the ACT, 699 firearms and 60 parts were surrendered.
ACT region Crime Stoppers chair Diana Forrester said many unusual items, including a rocket launcher, were surrendered in 2017.
Other weapons including crossbows and knives can also be handed in with no penalty during the amnesty, she said.
"Surrendering unwanted firearms during the amnesty means a child won't accidentally shoot themselves after discovering grandpa's old rifle down in the back shed," Ms Forrester said.
"It only takes one firearm in the hands of a person with malicious intent to be of great concern to the community."
Commander McDonald said there was a trend across Canberra of unregistered guns being used in burglaries.
"Offenders come across these firearms and it's basically an opportunity for them to use those firearms," Commander McDonald said.
Firearms or related items can be surrendered at the ACT Policing Exhibition Management Centre, 86 Vicars Street, Mitchell.
