Firearms amnesty launched to keep dangerous weapons off the streets

May 09, 2022

Britons are being urged to hand over illegal firearms and ammunition during a two-week gun amnesty.

The National Gun Surrender starts on 12 May and will allow people to anonymously hand in weapons at designated police stations including heirlooms, shotguns and antique revolvers.

Weapons handed in during previous firearms amnesties have included items found “hanging around in the loft for decades” such as old wartime service revolvers, war trophies – including grenades – as well as gas-operated blank-firing pistols and stun guns – bought during trips to Europe, or online.

Many such guns are held in innocence and ignorance that having them is against the law, according to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and The National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

Deputy Chief Constable Helen McMillan, NPCC lead for the criminal use of firearms, said people should surrender any firearms – or any type of weapon – they are concerned about that they have in their possession.

“They can do that anonymously and there will be an amnesty for them in order to transport that weapon or be in possession of that weapon at the point they surrender it,” she said.

“No one needs to be concerned about walking into a station or contacting their local force.

“We don’t need to know your name, we don’t need to know how you came into possession of it, all we need you to do is give us the gun.”

She also urged antique weapon-owners to “know your gun, and know the law”, adding “if you are no longer in possession legally, surrender that weapon”.

Illegal possession of a firearm can mean a five-year jail term, while being found guilty of possession with intent to supply can lead to a life sentence.

The last national gun surrender took place in 2019.

People can check police station locations in advance by visiting their local force website or calling 101.

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