Toronto Police collect 86 long rifles, 22 pistols-

Chief calls two-week amnesty project a success

Toronto Police collected 86 long rifles and 22 hand guns in gun amnesty project. Paula Last // Toronto Observer

The Toronto Police collected 108 guns and 8,000 rounds of ammunition in a recent two-week gun amnesty program.

Police Chief Mark Saunders announced earlier this week that the program was a success thanks in large part to social media campaigns running the hashtag #AmnestyTO.

A bag of ammunition, now property of the Toronto Police.

The program’s goal was to increase public safety and eliminate the risk of gun owners accidentally causing harm to themselves or others. Of the 108 guns, there were 86 long rifles and 22 hand guns.

“Someone who doesn’t know how to use a firearm properly could put themselves in a very dangerous situation that could be fatal,” Saunders said.

Many gun owners did not want the responsibility of having a gun in their household and took advantage of the opportunity to turn them over to the authorities.

A handgun submitted to Toronto Police.

A handgun submitted to Toronto Police.

Toronto Police were not actively looking for crime guns, but did show concern that people who have guns in their homes can be targets for theft. Saunders said in his press conference that at the end of the day, it is all about public safety.

“Anytime we can decrease firearms or ammunition within any community, we know that promotes safety.”

All weapons collected from Nov. 2 to 16 will be destroyed by police.

Video shot by Paula Last, Toronto Observer

About this article

By: Braydon Holmyard
Copy editor: Jason Sutcliffe
Posted: Nov 28 2015 3:39 pm
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