ABC News Online

Friday, December 22, 2006. 0:04am (AEDT)

Govt flags E Timor gun buy-back

Federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison has raised the idea of a gun buy-back in East Timor.

Senator Ellison visited East Timor this week to meet with the country's Prime Minister.

He says police are working to seize illegal weapons in the capital, Dili, but a buy-back scheme may also be necessary.

"There's certainly no buy-back of illegal firearms - if someone owns a fire-arm illegally, then they shouldn't profit from that," he said.

"But for those who legitimately own a firearm, then perhaps that could be surrendered on a buy-back basis."