1035 guns collected during Pixels for Pistols campaign

(Ottawa) Over 1035 guns were collected as part of Pixels for Pistols – a 30-day gun amnesty partnership between the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), Henry’s and Olympus Canada, the OPS announced this afternoon.

“Together we have ensured that 1035 guns were safely turned in,” said Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau. “We are very happy with the tremendous response to this program. The generosity of Henry’s and Olympus and the dedication of the Guns and Gangs Section and the Direct Action Response Team (DART) were important in this successful crime prevention program.”

In total, 735 shotguns/rifles, 178 handguns and 122 air guns/other were turned over by residents.

“The Pixels for Pistols program was created to put an end to gun violence in Canadian cities and allows people to get rid of unwanted firearms,” said Henry’s President Ian Landy. “We are so pleased with the results of the campaign in Ottawa. This is a wonderful example of how the collective efforts of local police, business and citizens can make cities safer, one gun at a time.”

Everyone who turned in an operational firearm will receive an Olympus VG-160 Digital point and shoot camera and a Henry’s School of Imaging Course from Henry’s valued at $175.00.

“Olympus is proud to contribute to a program that makes the city of Ottawa a safer place to live and which gives people the opportunity to receive real value for their unwanted or unused firearm,” said Senior Manager of Olympus Canada Inc Paul Elliott.

Over the next few weeks, some of the guns collected will be further tested by as part of the program to ensure they are not crime guns.

All of the firearms will be held for 90 days and then destroyed.

The Ottawa Police Service, Henry’s and Olympus would like to thank the residents of Ottawa for participating.

The last gun amnesty program in Ottawa took place in April 2008 and collected 490 guns of all types, over an 18 day period.