Thursday, December 14, 2006

Gun hand-in nets mass weapon haul

By Casey Toh,
WNS Richmond Correspondent

RICHMOND - Hundreds of illegal firearms have been handed in to police stations during a month-long campaign to get weapons off the streets in Richmond. During the operation a total of 430 weapons were handed in along with more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition. The haul included 264 air weapons, BB guns and replica guns. A crossbow was also handed in to a police station. The initiative was launched after the fatal shooting of 15-year-old girl in September. Apart from weapons of historic interest or those believed to have been used in crimes, the rest will be destroyed.

Although Linapore Police allowed people to deliver guns with complete anonymity, the hand-in did not give immunity to those with a gun that had been used in a crime. Assistant Police Spokesman Darrius Jones said: "We are really pleased with the response to this campaign. "We've had over 400 handed in, which has taken over 400 guns off our streets and made them a safer place to be. "The public have been given plenty of time to get rid of any illegal weapons they have without fear of prosecution and we are very grateful for the response of the law-abiding majority." Anyone found in illegal possession of a gun or ammunition faces prosecution, fines and up to 10 years in jail.

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