Gun amnesty campaign by Waterloo Regional Police launches for November

Residents in Waterloo Regionhave a chance to get rid of unwanted or unlicensed firearms this November with the return of the month-longFirearms and Prohibited Weapons Amnestyprogram run by Waterloo Regional Police.

People have the opportunity to get rid of firearms without fear of prosecution for illegal possession.

"Many weapons we recover that are related to a crime are those that have been stolen from residences,"said Superintendent PatrickDietrichin a release.

• Waterloo police wrap up 'successful' gun amnesty campaign
• More than a million restricted, prohibited guns in Canada

"They end up in the hands of people who use them to commit a criminal activity. Turning in these unwanted weapons will reduce this risk and, in turn, make our streets safer."

The program has had successsince police first launched it in2014,when officers collected over 346weaponsand12,000rounds of ammunition.

Police ask for residents to call519-570-9777to make arrangements for an officer to pick them up, rather than to deliver the unwanted firearmsto police themselves.