The province-wide 2022 SACP Firearm Amnesty ended April 10, 2022 and the results are now available.
In Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdictions, residents voluntarily surrendered 79 firearms (66 non-restricted firearms, 13 restricted firearms), 4110 rounds of ammunition and several other firearm-related items.
There are now 79 fewer opportunities for firearms to be stolen and used in crimes by active criminals and gang members across the province. There are also 79 fewer opportunities for firearms to be stolen and used to inflict serious injury or death across the province.
Saskatchewan RCMP officials say they are very pleased with these results and thank all who participated.
The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP) are also thanking citizens who participated in the province-wide amnesty program.
From March 21 to April 10, 2022, participating police services in Saskatchewan encouraged residents to surrender their unwanted firearms, replica firearms, and ammunition. During the time period, no charges were laid in relation to unauthorized possession or careless storage of these firearms.
“From hunting to sports, we recognize that firearms are part of Saskatchewan people’s lives,” says SACP Vice President and SPS Chief of Police Troy Cooper. “But we cannot forget that firearms can pose a danger when they are unwanted and not properly stored.”
During this period, a total of 241 unwanted firearms were turned into police services across Saskatchewan:
- Saskatoon Police Service – 81
- Regina Police Service – 48
- Saskatchewan RCMP – 79
- Moose Jaw Police Service – 11
- Prince Albert Police Service – 13
- Weyburn Police Service – 1
- Saskatchewan Environment Resource Management – 8
“Getting these firearms out of circulation is very useful,” says Saskatchewan RCMP Superintendent Honey Dwyer. “There are now 241 fewer opportunities for firearms to be stolen, and used in crimes by active criminals and gang members across the province.”
There was also over 14,000 rounds of ammunition surrendered.
While the amnesty period has officially ended, those wishing to surrender a firearm are still encouraged to contact police.
The SACP and participating Saskatchewan police services thank all those who called police to turn in their unwanted firearms throughout the amnesty period.