If only Oscar Pistorius had been able to participate in such a scheme as Scotland Yard’s gun amnesty suggests Matthew Steeples
On Tuesday morning I visited a West London police station. Whilst there (on an entirely unconnected matter, I hasten to add), I saw an officer logging in various weaponry and she explained that I should look out for a report about this in the Evening Standard later in the day. When I read it, I learnt that there has been a two-week amnesty for firearms in London and that 347 guns have been handed in.
In the article, Justin Davenport, the paper’s crime editor, revealed that amongst those surrendered were 220 “live firing” weapons, 11,000 rounds of live ammunition and several museum pieces. Though most will be destroyed, some of the weapons will be handed over to such places as the Imperial War Museum.
The officer I spoke with pointed out that though the amnesty is now over, there will still be a fair few more guns to come. Those handing them over will be looked on favourably but given some will be submitted to the police forensics laboratory, there may still be consequences if any evidence of criminal use of the weapons is discovered. As the officer departed, I remarked: “If only Oscar Pistorius had been given such a chance”. She wryly smiled.
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