TORONTO – Toronto police announced they have collected 86 long rifles, 22 hand guns and over 8,000 rounds of ammunition during a 14-day gun amnesty blitz in the city.
“We found that a lot of the people that we met during this amnesty, a lot of them felt the firearms that they had in their possession, they were burdened,” said Chief Mark Saunders during a press conference Wednesday morning.
“Because these firearms, a lot of them were handed down as gifts and to be quick frank, they didn’t know what to do with it.”
Saunders said firearms such as these pose a risk to public safety especially if they are stolen and used for criminal purposes.
“We have dozens of stolen fire arms each and every year. We know that when we have amnesty programs it does enhance community safety,” he said.
The chief wants to remind the public that individuals who legally possess firearms are subject to laws and regulations they must abide by.
“You have to comply with those. So if you’re not going to comply, there are a couple things. You are jeopardizing community safety and it’s against law,” said Saunders.
“If you’re not complying with those regulations, then you will lose your opportunity and privilege of being in possession of a firearm.”
The city’s latest gun amnesty program took place between Nov. 2 to 16.
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