30 weapons handed in under Govt’s firearms amnesty

Thirty weapons ranging from shotguns to starting pistols have been handed in during the first 10 days of a firearms amnesty announced by the Department of Justice earlier this month.

The surrendered weapons include six shotguns, four rifles, three revolvers, two starting pistols, two air pistols, two air rifles, two pellet guns and a stun gun.

A WWI grenade and four knives have also been handed in at garda stations around the country.

The amnesty is due to continue until the end of this month.

It offers people immunity from prosecution for illegally held guns, but not for any offences that may have been committed with those guns.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has already said he does not expect the initiative to have any effect on crime as criminals are unlikely to surrender their weapons.