From the OPP
The OPP and its municipal law enforcement partners have received and rendered safe hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a month-long gun amnesty.
During April, the OPP:
•received 592 gun amnesty calls for service, 86 (14.5 percent) of which were received through the online reporting option on the OPP website;
•recovered 689 items through appointments made with OPP officers, including 267 rifles, 156 shotguns, 113 prohibited firearms, and 62 other guns such as replica and vintage weapons; and,
•collected 12,615 pieces of ammunition.
All Ontario police services participated in the month-long initiative.
During that time, a total of 1,503 guns voluntarily were surrendered in non-OPP jurisdictions.
“I’m so proud of the collaboration demonstrated by members of the OPP and all of our municipal partners during the gun amnesty,” said OPP Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes.
“The results clearly show the public was engaged and supported our combined efforts to reduce the number of firearms, accessories, and ammunition in their communities, which then enhances public and police officer safety,” he noted.
A majority of the firearms surrendered to police will be destroyed but a number will be retained for historical, educational, or training purposes.
Although the gun amnesty officially has ended, police will continue to accept submissions from the public.
Interested gun owners may call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or their local police service’s non-emergency lines, to arrange for officers to attend and safely retrieve the weapons.
Police continue to encourage members of the public to turn in unwanted weapons despite the conclusion of this initiative.
Police retain the ability to exercise discretion (amnesty) regarding weapons related charges at all times, not just during this month-long event.
The public is reminded that no one ever should deliver guns, ammunition, or military ordinance directly to police facilities.
