Blackwood police station had the second highest number of firearms handed in across Gwent during a recent two-week nationwide surrender.
Gwent Police joined with other forces across the UK in asking members of the public to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to prevent them from getting into criminal hands.
During the fortnight surrender, which ended on Sunday, November 26, 109 items were handed in across the region.
Abergavenny station received the most surrenders, 26, while Blackwood had 18.
Police have detailed the items handed in:
· 41 lots of ammunition, including 450 shotgun cartridges and over 150 9mm pistol rounds.
· 41 lethal firearms were surrendered, including 18 shotguns, 14 pistols, 5 rifles and 4 revolvers.
· 17 air weapons were surrendered – 8 rifles, 8 pistols and a gas gun.
· 2 BB guns, 3 starting pistols, a replica 8mm pistol
· 4 realistic looking toy guns
Superintendent Glyn Fernquest said: “I would like to thank the public for the support during this two-week campaign. We had a fantastic response this year and as result there are 41 less firearms out there with the potential to end up in the wrong hands.
“We had both interesting and dangerous items handed in. A MG42 machine gun used in the Second World War was certainly a surprise, however it poses much less risk than some of the other items handed in.
“For example, the easily concealed Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, which has been illegal in the UK for over 20 years, and the 150 rounds of accompanying ammunition that someone found in their shed could have devastating consequences if this ended up in criminal hands. Thankfully this is now in our possession and it will be destroyed.
“I would ask anyone who has a firearm they would like to dispose of, or who knows of someone in possession of an illegal firearm, to contact us.
“If you are unsure as to whether or not the item is loaded or safe to transport, please let us know and we can send an officer to you. One well-meaning individual put themselves in danger when they drove to one of our stations to surrender a revolver that was loaded.”
At the point of surrender, firearm owners did not face prosecution for the illegal possession. Surrendered firearms will now under go forensic testing by specialist officers in order to determine whether they firearms had previously been used in criminality.
Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms can call Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you are a licensed firearm holder who wants advice contact the Gwent Police Firearms Licencing Team.
