Amnesty offers chance to give up unlawful firearms

The amnesty runs between November 1st and November 16th and will allow members of the public will be able to drop off their firearms at police stations in Selby and Tadcaster. It is the first time such an amnesty has been held in the area in over a decade.

Weapons included in the amnesty include air guns, BB guns, imitation and replica firearms. Also included are antique weapons, component parts and ammunition.

The amnesty has been prompted by changes to the law surrounding the ownership of firearms. Police hope that by allowing people to surrender illegal guns without risk of prosecution they can avoid allowing them to pass into the wrong hands.

Prior to the change in the law, those jailed for a period of three months or more were banned from holding a firearm or ammunition for it. Following the introduction of tighter new legislation, the ban is extended to those given suspended prison sentences of three months or more. The ban now also covers antique firearms.

Until November 16th, those surrendering firearms to the police will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will be allowed to remain anonymous. The history of any live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crimes however.

Dave Coutts, Head of Firearms and Explosives Licensing at North Yorkshire Police said, "Gun crime is very rare in North Yorkshire, and it has fallen year-on-year across the UK over the past ten years. However, the less illegally held firearms that are in circulation, the better.

"Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place."