Police have launched an amnesty on firearms and ammunition in a bid to reduce gun crime.
The amnesty, organised by Suffolk Constabulary, aims to stop guns going to criminals – with people able to hand in unlicensed firearms without fear of prosecution.
Richard Kennett, firearms licensing manager for Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies, said: “Some people may have un-registered, old weapons that they have forgotten about, that they no longer have a use for, or that they don’t know what to do with.
“Although such weapons aren’t being used for crimes, it’s important that they are handed over to the police to stop them from falling into the wrong hands.
“Fortunately we don’t have a big problem with gun crime in Norfolk and Suffolk, and reducing the amount of illegally owned firearms across the counties will help reduce the threat of gun crime even further.”
The gun amnesty comes following changes to legislation which has seen the maximum sentence for owning an illegal gun increasing. It also means that some gun owners who were previously able to hold a firearm may no longer be legally allowed to do so; for example, someone who has been sentenced to a custodial or suspended sentence of more than three months can no longer possess a firearm, including antiques
The amnesty starts on Monday and runs until November 21.
Visit www.suffolk.police.uk or call police on 101.
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