More than 300 firearms are set to be destroyed after they were surrendered by members of the public, as part of a campaign by Avon and Somerset Police in a bid to reduce gun crime across the area.
During a fortnight in November, people could hand in their guns and not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender, as well as remaining anonymous.
In total, 313 guns were surrendered over the two weeks, along with 120 pieces of ammunition.
Every weapon received meant that it could not fall into the wrong hands and be used for criminal purposes.
Among those handed in were rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers, flare guns, starter pistols, air rifles, BB guns and a stun gun.
- Flares – 3
- Shotguns – 80
- Rifles – 25
- Air weapons – 96
- BB guns – 14
- Pistols/Revolvers – 81
- Starter pistol – 11
- Slaughtering gun – 2
- Stun guns – 1
Guns handed in that are thought to have a historical/research interest will be safely transferred to the relevant institution eg the National Firearms Centre at the Royal Armouries at Leeds.
The rest will now be destroyed.
Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: “We’d like to thank the members of the public who supported this operation and handed in firearms.
“Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes but others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks.
“By handing them in to us, every weapon off the streets is one less that can be used to harm or threaten our communities.
“For example, a .38 revolver was surrendered and separately a bag of live .38 bullets. The two combined would have been a lethal weapon that could have fallen into the hands of criminals and caused significant harm or death.”
“The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and our local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.”
If you know of people involved in illegal firearms, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
