Hundreds of firearms and ammunition surrendered to Police Scotland following campaign

Hundreds of unlicensed firearms no longer have the potential to fall into the hands of criminals as they have been taken off of Scotland’s streets.

Police Scotland revealed that following a firearms surrender campaign to remove unlicensed weapons from Scottish communities and prevent them being used for criminality, more than 300 firearms and 80 lots of ammunition were surrendered.

A total of 319 weapons including shotguns, BB guns, air weapons and imitation firearms were handed into police stations between Thursday, May 12 and Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Assistant chief constable Alan Speirs reminded people that no matter how firearms are acquired, they can be surrendered to police at any time.

He said: “It’s really important that we continue to build on public safety across Scotland by providing opportunities for the safe surrender of weapons like this and by reminding the public to check their licences.

“Members of the public are reminded that it is against the law to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm, regardless of how you acquire it and are reminded that firearms can be surrendered to the police at any time.

“If anyone has any doubt, we have specially trained officers across the country who can make unlicensed weapons safe and remove them.”

Cabinet secretary for justice and veterans Keith Brown added: “We are grateful to Police Scotland for this important campaign to encourage those in possession of unneeded or unlicensed firearms or air weapons to safely hand them over.

“Firearm offences remain at historically low levels in Scotland, but by removing more than 300 weapons as well as ammunition this initiative will help keep our communities safe and prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”