Dozens of dangerous weapons off Oakville, Milton, Burlington streets thanks to Amnesty Program

An amnesty program started by Halton police last year saw more than 200 weapons and hundreds of pounds of ammunition taken off the streets of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills.

The 2023 Halton Regional Police Annual Report shows violent crime dropped seven per cent across the Region in 2023 and confirms one of their key focuses remains eliminating dangerous weapons from local streets and neighbourhoods.

“To help accomplish this, the HRPS introduced its latest Firearms and Weapons Amnesty on June 1, 2023,” reads the recently-released report.

“Led by our Property and Evidence Management Unit (PEMU), its goal was twofold – to educate members of the public about prohibited weapons, and to provide the opportunity for individuals and businesses to safely surrender firearms and weapons they no longer wished to possess without worry of facing criminal charges.”

The program was not associated with any government buyback program, nor was it intended to focus on lawful gun owners, hunters, sporting shooters, or gun enthusiasts, according to police.

In addition to traditional firearms and ammunition, any weapon that may pose a threat to public safety and well-being was also eligible to be surrendered under the amnesty.

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In its first seven months, local officers visited more than 100 residences across Halton, collecting a total of 166 firearms, 60 weapons – some of which were prohibited – and 579 pounds of ammunition. No charges were laid.

These items included imitation firearms and air guns, switchblades, butterfly knives, pepper spray, nunchucks, push daggers, crossbows, and batons.

Due its success to date, the HRPS Amnesty Program has been extended indefinitely.

Members of the public are reminded to never bring any weapons or firearms to a police station, to never transport firearms or weapons in vehicles, nor to greet any officer at the door with a weapon.

Officers assigned to retrieve weapons as part of the Amnesty Program will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction.

For more information about the program, or to schedule a pickup, visit here.