Rocket launcher surrendered during B.C. gun amnesty

British Columbiansturned in almost 1,090 firearms including a rocket launcherduring the first three weeks of this month's provincial gun amnesty.

The RCMP say the rocket launcher, complete with instructions in French and English, was discovered by an elderly couple doing renovations to their Burnaby home in 1973.

They were afraid to say anything about it and hid the weapon in their attic. The husband has died and his widow told police she was relieved to get it out ofthehouse.

The RCMP say police across B.C. also collected 196 registered and unregistered handguns, 72 unregistered semi-automatic rifles and 34 prohibited firearms including one M-16 assault rifle.

They say that in addition to the firearms, they also collected44,258 rounds of ammunition.

RCMP Staff Sgt. John Ward said the response exceeded all expectations, as people seem to realize that getting rid of weapons is a good idea.

"We live in a different time and weapons are not something that we need to have out on the streets," the RCMP spokesman said Wednesday.

"We have to try andensure that the public is kept safe.People who live in homes where there are weapons around,this often causes a problem."

Ward said the weapons will be destroyed.

He also reminds people they should not take a gun to a police station. Instead, they should call police who will come and pick it up.

The provincewide initiative ends on Friday.