Police holding their second firearms amnesty - they took 180 weapons off the streets during the first amnesty.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

October 15th, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Have the Regional Police come to the conclusion that if the public hasn’t used their weapons to shoot all the politicians before they elect one of them to the House of Commons – then perhaps another gun amnesty is due – to get the weapons off the streets.

The Halton Regional Police Service will be hosting its second regional Firearms and Weapons Amnesty from October 19 to October 29, 2015.

The public is  being  encouraged to surrender their unregistered or unwanted firearms and weapons to the Halton Regional Police.

Guns weapons amnestyThis amnesty is an opportunity for members of the community to hand in firearms and/or weapons and ammunition that are unused, inherited or illegal, without the fear of being charged for having them.

The Halton Regional Police Service aims to create a safer community by removing these firearms and weapons from locations such as homes, businesses and schools to prevent their use in violent crimes.

Currently, in Ontario there are over 500,000 citizens who hold valid Possession Licenses (POL) and Possession and Acquisition licenses (PAL).

There are over 300,000 restricted and prohibited firearms registered in Ontario, not including non-restricted firearms (long guns).
In some circumstances, POL and PAL licensees no longer wish to keep their firearms due to age, ability and residential location. POL and PAL holders often omit or forget to renew their license and/or are deceased, leaving the firearms unregistered or in the possession of unlicensed family members. This amnesty is an opportunity to have the police come and safely take these weapons away.

During this amnesty, the police encourage people to turn in illegally held guns and ammunition and any other unwanted firearms, imitation firearms and air guns. In addition, any weapon that may pose a threat to public safety such as switchblades, butterfly knives, pepper spray, nunchuks, shurikens, push daggers, knife-combs, crossbows, spiked wristbands, batons and/or blowguns.

Between October 19 and October 26, a dedicated telephone line will be available to arrange a firearm or weapon pick up. (905) 465-8733 will be monitored from Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm during the ten days.

DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO A POLICE STATION.

DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREARMS OR WEAPONS IN YOUR VEHICLE.

DO NOT GREET OFFICERS AT THE DOOR WITH FIREARMS/WEAPONS.

Officers assigned to pick up the weapons will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction.

This Amnesty is an opportunity for everyone to take part in removing these firearms and weapons from the community, reducing the risk of them falling into the hands of criminals.

Last year, approximately 180 firearms were turned in, about 40 knives and 200 pounds of ammunition.

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