243 guns handed in to GMP in 14-day amnesty
SOME 243 guns have been handed over to GMP during a two-week firearms amnesty.
And police have revealed that 68 were ‘viable’ weapons, which means they are capable of being fired, and will now be sent off for ballistic tests to establish if they have been involved in crime.
Pistols, revolvers, shotguns and one sawn-off shotgun as well as ammunition were among the haul of weapons handed over to GMP as part of a national ‘firearms surrender’ where people could hand over guns ‘no questions asked.’
One of the weapons is a WWII 9mm Luger pistol and holster, complete with Third Reich symbol, which will be given to a museum.
Other weapons handed in were a 1973 Colt revolver, a Beretta, and a Gardone Vt1936-Xiv pistol.
A selection of the weapons was displayed to the media today, including one home-made gun capable of firing bullets and two small handguns which are currently said to be popular with Manchester criminals.
A large number were blank firers which police say could have been converted to using real bullets.
Replica weapons also featured including an AR15 semi-automatic.
Chief Supt Mary Doyle, head of the serious crime division of GMP, said the amnesty was a success.
“The surrender has been a great success and has seen 243 weapons taken off the streets, which is 243 fewer weapons that can cause harm and devastation within our communities,” she said.
“Although our surrender has finished, our fight against gun crime is far from over and we continue to focus our activity against those that use guns in criminal activities.”
Police suspect serious criminals didn’t hand over their weapons during the amnesty but rather they had perhaps been found by people during house clearances and they didn’t know what to do with them.
Chief Supt Doyle added: “The amount we have got absolutely demonstrates a success. That’s 243 less firearms that could be used by criminals in their activities. That’s got to make Greater Manchester safer. That said, we are not complacent and we will continue to focus on those who use firearms in their criminal activities.”
When the amnesty was launched a fortnight ago, it was supported by the father of Halton McCollin, who was shot dead in Stretford in 2008 aged 20.