18 firearms and more than 2800 round of ammunition surrendered to RSIPF

Fire arms surrendered to RSIPF during amnesty. Photo supplied 

A total of 18 firearms and more than 2800 round of ammunition have been surrendered to police at the end of the final amnesty,  midnight 9^th June 2017.

RSIPF Commissioner Mathew Varley announced this in a police statement issued Saturday 10^th June.

These consisted of:

•           Two (2) SR88 rifles, likely to be former police weapons stolen in the Tension era;

•           One (1) pump action shot gun

•           Several .22 calibre bolt action rifles

•           Several home made or modified weapons

•           Two (2) handguns, including one pistol and one WW II revolver

•           Two machine gun frames and barrels from WWII.

Ammunition surrendered to RSIPF during amnesty: Photo supplied

Hundreds of rounds of live and workable ammunition were also surrendered.

A portion of the rounds of ammunition are old and likely to be from the WWII era. 

The statement said the items are now safely stored in the custody of the RSIPF.

Commissioner Varley thanked those who handed in their weapons and the stakeholders who worked alongside police to encourage others to do the same.

“Our RSIPF officers and SIPPCRA members have conducted dozens of engagement talks and visits to communities and villages right across Solomon Islands,” Commissioner Varley said.

“We are grateful for the courage and honesty shown by community groups and leaders who worked with us to progress this Amnesty.  Each gun and bullet handed in has made Solomon Islands a safer place,” he said.

Commissioner Varley said this is the Government’s final amnesty  and there will be no leniency for persons found with illegal firearms after 9^th June.

“Anyone found now with firearms will be arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms,” he said.

The statement said the Government and RSIPF will announce details about the destruction of the firearms soon.

ENDS///