Manitoba firearm owners encouraged to unload their guns during month-long amnesty

Manitoba's police officers want to take unwanted guns off your hands.

The province has announced a month-long gun amnesty program, beginningFriday.

Members of the public are asked to call local police through a non-emergency line to make arrangements for an officer to pick up theirunwanted firearms and ammunition and dispose of them.

Scott Kolody, Manitoba RCMPassistant commissioner, said duringa Friday news conference thatevery gun collected is a weapon that won't end up in the hands of a criminal.

"This is an excellent opportunityfor every Manitoban to go into their basement, go into their garage, theirbarn, or wherever their guns may be stored and ask themselves one question:am I ever really going to use this gun again?"

If the answer is no, Kolody strongly encourages gun owners to make the call.

Police will not lay chargesagainst someone turning in a weapon, such as possessing anunregistered gun,unless it was used to commit a crime or was stolen, a media release from the province said.

More than 600 guns were turned over to police in Manitoba during thelast two province-wide collection programs, in 2010 and 2007.

The Winnipeg Police Serviceran a similar program in 2012, offeringa digital point-and-shoot camera and/or aphotography store gift card as a reward for Winnipeg gun owners who turned in firearms.

Police collected 1,700 firearms and 13,000 rounds of ammunition during the month.

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