Saskatchewan Municipal Police Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Conservation Officers are working proactively to address the issue of gun violence in this province through an upcoming Firearms Amnesty Program, from March 29 to April 27, 2018 . This is an initiative of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, or SACP, patterned after a successful Gun Amnesty held in Regina in February, 2017.
The participating agencies are: the municipal police services of Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Estevan, Weyburn, Corman Park, File Hills, Dalmeny, Caronport, Wilton, and Luseland. The program also includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Saskatchewan Conservation Officers.
The SACP Gun Amnesty recognizes that our province has a strong history and tradition of hunting, agricultural production and recreational marksmanship. Firearms are a necessary tool in these vocations and pursuits. The SACP recognizes that legal, safe and responsible firearm ownership is the practice of most gun-owners in this province. The SACP Gun Amnesty does not wish to have an adverse effect on responsible firearms owners. Instead, the SACP Gun Amnesty is designed to lower the risk of violent offences involving firearms by safely collecting and disposing of unwanted firearms that may, otherwise, fall into the hands of criminals through break & enters or accidental loss. Reducing the numbers of these firearms in our cities, towns and rural communities will have a positive impact on public safety. An example of an unwanted firearm would be: a firearm inherited as part of an estate, but no longer wanted by the surviving relative. The Amnesty also extends to replica or imitation firearms, and any unwanted ammunition or parts of firearms.
From March 29th to April 27th, 2018, residents of Saskatchewan are encouraged to contact their nearest detachment of the RCMP, municipal police service or conservation office to arrange to surrender their unwanted firearms, replica firearms, and ammunition. NOTE: We do NOT want members of the public transporting firearms to their nearest detachment, police service or conservation office. Improper transportation of firearms presents a safety risk and can result in potential criminal implications. By pre-arrangement, police officers or conservation officers will go to pick up unwanted firearms from the homes of residents who wish to surrender them. During the period of the SACP Gun Amnesty, police will not pursue any charges in relation to the unauthorized possession of firearms that are surrendered as part of this initiative. Surrendered firearms will be checked by police to determine if they are involved in any ongoing investigations. Firearms will then be destroyed.
Any Saskatchewan resident who wants to get rid of unwanted firearms is encouraged to contact his/her local municipal police service, RCMP detachment or conservation office. Watch for more information distributed through posters in your community as well as notices on police websites and police social media accounts in Saskatchewan. Remember: please do not transport unwanted firearms nor enter a police service, detachment or conservation office, carrying a firearm. Make arrangements for a safe pick-up by a police officer or conservation officer. Local details will be available in each participating community.