233 Firearms Taken Off The Street

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have concluded the Firearms and Prohibited Weapons Amnesty program that was launched on November 1, 2014. The month-long community safety and awareness initiative was designed to help increase community awareness and also provide an additional opportunity for members of the public to turn in items that present a potential safety risk.

The community responded to the appeal for unwanted and no longer needed guns and weapons. As of December 5, 2014, the following items were submitted to police for destruction:
Firearms: 233
Pellet guns / BB guns/ imitation guns: 84
Prohibited weapons: 29
Ammunition: 12,600 rounds
Military Ordnance: 4
“We are very pleased and impressed with how the public responded to this initiative,” said Inspector Dave Bishop, Strategic and Tactical Services Division. “The amnesty program clearly demonstrates how our citizens remain committed to working in partnership with their police service in the interest of community safety and crime prevention,” he continued. “We would like to also express our appreciation to all of our members who worked diligently at making this program a success, and to the media outlets that helped keep the community informed throughout.”
As a result of this amnesty program as well as others conducted recently across Ontario, many more unwanted and illegally owned guns and weapons have been removed from our communities, thereby reducing the potential for them falling into the wrong hands.
Anyone wishing to turn in unwanted weapons or guns at any time is urged to contact police at (519) 653-7700. Maintaining community safety is an ongoing process and the Waterloo Regional Police Service urges all citizens to remain vigilant about reporting any activities they believe to be suspicious.

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