3   Principles and objects of Act

(1)  The underlying principles of this Act are:

(a)  to confirm that the possession and use of prohibited weapons is a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety, and

(b)  to improve public safety by imposing strict controls on the possession and use of prohibited weapons.

(2)  The specific objects of this Act are as follows:

(a)  to require each person who possesses or uses a prohibited weapon under the authority of a permit to have a genuine reason for possessing or using the weapon,

(b)  to provide strict requirements that must be satisfied in relation to the possession and use of prohibited weapons,

(c)  to provide an amnesty period to enable the surrender of prohibited weapons.