3
Nov
2014
By Calvin at 17:30 GMT, 11 years ago
Press Release
Cumbria Constabulary is to hold a county-wide firearms amnesty for members of the public to surrender unlawfully held firearms and ammunition.
The amnesty, which takes place between the 10th and 21st November, is the first national amnesty in the county since 2004. It will provide an opportunity to hand in replica firearms, air weapons, BB guns, imitation firearms, antique firearms, component parts and other ballistic items.
The amnesty has been devised to enable those who hold firearms and ammunition, without a valid certificate, to surrender those to the police. Members of the public can also surrender items that have the potential to be converted such as antique guns, blank firing replicas and imitations.
Each firearm that is surrendered will be one less that could fall into the hands of a criminal.
The amnesty encourages firearms to be handed in with immunity from prosecution for the simple possession offence. However if it has also been used in crime then an investigation may be conducted.
Recent changes in firearm legislation may also affect some firearm owners who may now be illegally holding firearms and ammunition.
Police will work closely with the National Ballistic Intelligence Service (NABIS) who offer forensic, tactical and strategic intelligence to tackle all aspects of firearms related crime.
The stations where firearms can be handed in during the amnesty period are:
North
• Carlisle
• Penrith
South
• Barrow
• Kendal
• Ulverston
West
• Cockermouth
• Whitehaven
• Workington
To check on opening times please visit http://www.cumbria.police.uk/contact-us/police-stations.
Authorised firearms officers will be available to collect firearms from those who are unable to attend a police station. For further details in arranging the collection of your firearm or ammunition please contact police on 101.
For specific enquiries in relation to possession of firearms and conditions of your licence you can also call the firearms licensing office on 0330 124 0941.
TCPW Comment
Periodically all police services hold firearm amnesties for the simple reason that there are an awful lot of illegally held firearms out there. On occasion the illegal possession may not have been realised, as with Great Uncle Bert’s service revolver somehow brought back with him after the First World War and now residing under the floorboards of a relative’s home, brought out for display on special occasions. During one amnesty, while I was in the Metropolitan Police, an elderly widow of one of our war heroes called me into her house to collect four hand grenades brought back by her husband!
I often think that we’re really fortunate to live in a country with strict firearm controls, a very low incidence of firearm deaths and a largely unarmed police service and these amnesties just help that little bit more to keep our society safe. I do hope the people of Cumbria (for whom this amnesty will have relevance) will take this opportunity to dispose of these weapons and ammunition.
