Gun Amnesty Results
In Essex alone, during 2014's gun amnesty 6,766 were surrendered to Essex Police, this was the force with the largest amount of guns given up.
Gun Surrender Launched in Essex
We're holding a two-week Gun Surrender to allow residents to dispose of firearms.
The force has taken the step as recent changes to legislation mean that it is now illegal for some people to hold antique weapons.
The force has taken the step as recent changes to legislation mean that it is now illegal for some people to hold antique weapons.
Other police forces have already held Gun Surrenders with positive results and we're keen to take the opportunity to stop firearms ending up in the wrong hands.
The Gun Surrender runs from 8am on Friday, November 7 and 11pm on Friday, November 21, 2014.
Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Horne said: "We are looking for public support to get as many guns off the streets and out of potential criminal circulation as we can. Every gun given up is one less that criminals can use.
"The illegal possession of firearms in Essex has remained fairly constant over the past five years at around 330 offences per year. This covers the whole range of firearms including air weapons and pepper spray and we believe this Gun Surrender could help reduce that number significantly.
"The tragic death of Pc Ian Dibell, who was shot dead while trying to disarm a man in Clacton in 2012, is an all too recent reminder of the fatal consequences that can come from the possession of guns.”
How to dispose of a firearm during the surrender
Weapons and ammunition can be taken to the following police stations. They will all be open between 8am and midnight apart from Loughton and Brentwood which are open from midday until 6pm.
If a gun is examined and it is believed to have previously been used in a crime or is subject to current investigation then prosecution will still be considered.
Recent changes in legislation on antique firearms also mean that someone who has received a criminal sentence, or suspended criminal sentence, of more than three months can no longer possess one of these guns.
If they have served up to three years they are banned for five years, and if they served longer then the ban is permanent.
Antique weapons are exempt from licensing laws as the ammunition to use them is now obsolete. However there has been evidence of some criminal gangs making their own bullets to use in these weapons.
ACC Horne said: "There are probably a number of people with heirloom guns that date back decades which may be kept in a drawer or the attic.
"I would ask these people to consider whether they still need to hold on to them. If you don’t then we will happily take them off your hands and make sure they are appropriately disposed of.”
Staff at the designated police stations have been trained in how to safely handle any weapons brought in but ACC Horne added: "If you wish to bring in a firearm then it is very important to make sure that any ammunition has been removed before you do. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this then you should not attempt to try it.
"Call Essex Police on 101, we will come to your home, assess the weapon and make sure that any bullets are removed and there is no danger to anyone.
"We do not want people to put themselves, or others, at risk by carrying loaded weapons into police stations or trying to unload them without the knowledge to do so.”
As well as illegally held guns and ammunition the surrender also covers imitation firearms, air weapons, stun guns and CS gas or pepper spray. It does not cover other items such as knives, machetes and swords.
The Gun Surrender runs from 8am on Friday, November 7 and 11pm on Friday, November 21, 2014.
Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Horne said: "We are looking for public support to get as many guns off the streets and out of potential criminal circulation as we can. Every gun given up is one less that criminals can use.
"The illegal possession of firearms in Essex has remained fairly constant over the past five years at around 330 offences per year. This covers the whole range of firearms including air weapons and pepper spray and we believe this Gun Surrender could help reduce that number significantly.
"The tragic death of Pc Ian Dibell, who was shot dead while trying to disarm a man in Clacton in 2012, is an all too recent reminder of the fatal consequences that can come from the possession of guns.”
How to dispose of a firearm during the surrender
Weapons and ammunition can be taken to the following police stations. They will all be open between 8am and midnight apart from Loughton and Brentwood which are open from midday until 6pm.
- Colchester
- Clacton
- Southend
- Rayleigh
- Chelmsford
- Basildon
- Loughton
- Brentwood
- Harlow
- Grays
Please bring unloaded weapons in a bag or holdall so as not to alarm other members of the public and don't try to hand them to officers or PCSOs on patrol.
If a gun is examined and it is believed to have previously been used in a crime or is subject to current investigation then prosecution will still be considered.
Recent changes in legislation on antique firearms also mean that someone who has received a criminal sentence, or suspended criminal sentence, of more than three months can no longer possess one of these guns.
If they have served up to three years they are banned for five years, and if they served longer then the ban is permanent.
Antique weapons are exempt from licensing laws as the ammunition to use them is now obsolete. However there has been evidence of some criminal gangs making their own bullets to use in these weapons.
ACC Horne said: "There are probably a number of people with heirloom guns that date back decades which may be kept in a drawer or the attic.
"I would ask these people to consider whether they still need to hold on to them. If you don’t then we will happily take them off your hands and make sure they are appropriately disposed of.”
Staff at the designated police stations have been trained in how to safely handle any weapons brought in but ACC Horne added: "If you wish to bring in a firearm then it is very important to make sure that any ammunition has been removed before you do. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this then you should not attempt to try it.
"Call Essex Police on 101, we will come to your home, assess the weapon and make sure that any bullets are removed and there is no danger to anyone.
"We do not want people to put themselves, or others, at risk by carrying loaded weapons into police stations or trying to unload them without the knowledge to do so.”
As well as illegally held guns and ammunition the surrender also covers imitation firearms, air weapons, stun guns and CS gas or pepper spray. It does not cover other items such as knives, machetes and swords.