Gun amnesty program set to begin in Saskatchewan

Police forces in Saskatchewan are once again teaming up to take unwanted guns off people’s hands.

The 2023 Firearm Amnesty Program is to begin Monday and run until April 9.

In that time frame, people can call their local police service, RCMP detachment or conservation office and have officers pick up any guns or ammunition the residents want to get rid of — legal or illegal — without charges.

However, all guns will be checked for any possible criminal affiliation. After that, they’ll be destroyed.

The program, which is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP), began in Regina in 2017.

In a media release, the association stressed the amnesty “is not related to changes set out in the federal government’s May 2020 Order In Council or pending Bill C21 legislation.” That controversial bill aims to ban certain guns in Canada.

“The SACP distinguishes that legal, safe and responsible firearm ownership is the practice of most gun-owners in this province,” the release said. “The SACP Firearm Amnesty does not wish to have an adverse effect on responsible firearms owners.

“Instead, the SACP Firearm 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.”

The association said an example of an unwanted gun is one that was inherited as part of an estate but isn’t wanted by the relative who inherited it. The amnesty also extends to replica or imitation guns, ammunition or parts of firearms.

The release noted that people shouldn’t take their guns to police or conservation officers, as that could result in charges. The officers will pick up the guns from the homes of residents who want to surrender the firearms.

The Saskatchewan RCMP, the Ministry of the Environment and municipal police services in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Estevan, Weyburn, File Hills First Nations, and Wilton are participating in the program.