Anyone in a Nishnawbe Aski Nation community can hand in weapons to police with no questions asked until the end of the year.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has seized prohibited weapons, including assault rifles, in several arrests this year. Sgt. Jackie George said having an amnesty program will hopefully get more of those weapons out of communities.
Weapons get into NAN communities many ways including winter roads and even the mail.
"We believe that there are other weapons up North that still exist so we're opening the doors for people to hand those weapons in," she said.
Guns are discovered through various investigations by police, which leads the force to think there are more out there. But there are also people who may have a weapon like an AK-47 that was legal at one time and isn't anymore. The amnesty can help there as well.
"They may be in the position where they have it now and they're afraid to hand it in," George said.
The amnesty also covers other illegal accessories like a magazine modified to hold more than five rounds. All a person has to do is hand the weapon over and sign a form stating that they know it will be destroyed.
"We don't have a number in mind. We are looking forward to the participation of community members," George said.
It's a lot better than the alternative after Dec. 31 when police will again charge anyone they find in possession of a prohibited firearm.
For more information visit the NAPS website.
