SASKATCHEWAN – In the spirit of a “proactive approach to the issue of gun violence,” the Firearm Amnesty Program will launch next week.
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Association of Police Chiefs and working in conjunction with municipal police services across the province, the RCMP and Ministry of Environment, the program seeks to reduce the number of guns that are not being used and could possibly be stolen.
“The SACP Firearm Amnesty does not wish to have an adverse effect on responsible firearms owners,” said the SACP in a media release. “Instead, the SACP Firearm Amnesty is designed to lower the risk of violent offences involving firearms by safely collecting and disposing of unwanted firearms that may, otherwise fall into the hands of criminals through break and enters or accidental loss.”
The amnesty also includes replica and imitation firearms, any unwanted ammunition, and even parts of firearms.
“The SACP Firearm Amnesty recognizes that our province has a long history and tradition of hunting, agricultural production and recreational marksmanship,” SACP said. “Firearms are a necessary tool in these vocations and pursuits.”
The majority of gun owners across Saskatchewan utilize these tools in a safe and responsible manner, but the aim of the program is to reduce the number of unwanted or unused firearms in general.
The amnesty program runs from March 20 to April 9, and people interested in surrendering unwanted firearms are encouraged to contact their local police service instead of transporting the items to a detachment.
“By pre-arrangement, police officers or conservation officers will attend to pick up unwanted firearms from the homes of residents who wish to surrender them,” SACP explained. “During the period of the SACP Firearm Amnesty, police will not pursue any charges in relation to the unauthorized possession of firearms surrendered as part of this initiative.”
Those firearms handed over will be checked to determine if they are involved in any investigations, and then destroyed afterwards.
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