NEWS RELEASE
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Waterloo Regional Police have concluded the Firearms and Prohibited Weapons Amnesty program that was launched on Nov. 1, 2021.
The month-long program, which ran from Nov. 1, 2021 to Nov. 30, 2021, was an opportunity for community members to turn over unwanted or unlicensed firearms and other weapons that are potentially illegal to possess or that pose a safety risk in their homes or community. The program facilitated the proper disposal of these items without fear of prosecution for illegal possession.
This is the fourth time the program has been held by the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Other programs were held in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
The 2021 program resulted in the following items being turned in:
- 48 firearms (shotguns, rifles, handguns)
- 24 pellet guns
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition
- Two other weapons (an axe and a flare)
During the previous three programs, officers collected a total of 427 firearms (shotguns, rifles, handguns), 160 pellet/BB/imitation guns, 32 other weapons (e.g., machete, crossbow, sword) and 21,000 rounds of ammunition.
“Having illegally owned firearms and weapons taken off the street is a benefit to our entire community,” said Staff Sergeant Hibbard of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Drugs and Firearms Unit. “Turning in these unwanted weapons will reduce this risk and, in turn, make our streets safer.”
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