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Manitoba gun amnesty pulls in almost 700 unwanted firearms

Click to play video: 'Manitoba RCMP collect nearly 700 firearms, 22,000 rounds of ammunition in June’s gun amnesty program'
Manitoba RCMP collect nearly 700 firearms, 22,000 rounds of ammunition in June’s gun amnesty program
Manitoba's Justice Minister Heather Stefanson along with RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody announce the results of the June gun amnesty program – Jul 31, 2018

The month-long gun amnesty held by the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police was brought to a close Tuesday with shocking numbers.

Thirteen different police agencies were given almost 700 firearms and 22,000 rounds of ammunition by people in the province in June, said police.

READ MORE: Winnipeg police show off blast from the past

The program was held to offer Manitobans a chance to turn in potentially dangerous items without charges being laid against them, unless the item was used to commit a crime or was stolen.

On Tuesday, officials announced no charges resulted from anything turned in.

RELATED: Manitoba police expected calls for guns during amnesty month, not bombs

Amongst the items turned in, Winnipeg police received a nine-pound cannonball. They said it was found by someone visiting York Factory in 1966.

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Portage La Prairie RCMP also got an unusual call about a bomb that had been stored in the home of a basement. It was not operational.

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The large majority of the firearms and ammunition surrendered will be destroyed, but experts said a handful could be kept for historical, educational or training purposes.

READ MORE: Manitoba’s government wants you to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition to police

Justice Minister Heather Stefanson was on hand for a show-and-tell with the weapons.

“We take the safety of our families and our communities very seriously,” Stefanson said . “By encouraging Manitobans to turn in these unwanted firearms and ammunition, we did our part in ensuring that illegal or stolen guns never make it into the wrong hands.”

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