Gun owners 'will not face prosecution' in amnesty

Weapons handed in during an earlier amnesty included pistols

Gun owners have been told they will not face prosecution if they hand in weapons during a police amnesty.

Northamptonshire Police is urging anyone with an illegal or unwanted firearm to hand it in during the next five weeks.

The force says weapons that were held legally but are no longer wanted can fall into the hands of criminal gangs.

A senior officer said: "Handing in a firearm could save a life".

Over the last few years, incidents such as the Plymouth shootings in 2021 have resulted in changes to firearms legislation.

Some previously exempt weapons and ammunition have been added to the list of firearms that require a licence, and more stringent checks have been introduced on people who apply.

But there are still thought to be thousands of firearms still in circulation which are illegally owned or no longer wanted.

During the amnesty, it will be possible to surrender:

• Illegally-held guns and ammunition

• Imitation firearms and air guns

• Antique and other unwanted guns and ammunition

• Tasers, stun guns and CS gas

• Firearms people have been asked to hide for someone else

Rifles were handed in during a previous amnesty

Insp Craig Johnson, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "This surrender will give members of the public the chance to safely dispose of firearms or ammunition by having us discreetly come and collect them from homes."

The force added that anyone who hands in firearms or ammunition "will not face prosecution for illegal possession, at the point of surrender, and can remain anonymous".

Some weapons handed in during a previous amnesty were legally held but no longer required

The force believes the majority of firearms owners may not be aware that some of their weapons could be illegal, so they get forgotten and not stored in locked cabinets.

Insp Johnson said: "Other owners hold all their guns legally, but they are acquired by criminal networks to harm, threaten and intimidate others."

"Handing in a firearm could save a life," he added.

The force said anyone with weapons to hand over should call the police to make an appointment for a trained officer to collect the firearms.

The amnesty ends on 5 October.