Ottawa police is partnering with Henry's photography for a program dubbed 'pixels for pistols.' Any Ottawa resident who surrenders a working firearm that police determine is not a crime gun - will receive a free digital camera from Henry's. On the first day of the program Ottawa police say they have had 39 calls and emails from Ottawa residents who want to take part.
"During the amnesty, unlicensed or improperly stored firearms can be turned in without fear of charges,“ says Charles Bordeleau, Ottawa’s police chief.
Ottawa police say there's been a nasty side effect to tightened border security. While it's more difficult to smuggle a gun into Canada, criminals are now targeting homes where they know there are firearms. “We are concerned that legitimate gun owners are going to have theft from house, break and enter from house and we know that's happening in places across Ontario, “ says Staff Sergeant Mark Patterson, with the Guns and Gangs unit.
Ottawa police point to targeted break and enters as a good reason to get rid of your unused firearm. The service says it's a good way to get rid of the firearm gathering dust in your attic. ”We don’t think criminals will be handing guns in but we do think pixels for pistols will reduce guns in community, “ says Chief Bordeleau.
Henry's launched this program after one of its Toronto stores was robbed at gunpoint. 'Pixels for Pistols’ has taken place in 3 other Canadian cities. In each city, the program brought in record hauls. Toronto police netted 1897 firearms, in Halifax more than 1000 firearms were turned in and in Winnipeg 1600 guns were collected. That’s almost 4500 firearms collected.
The program runs from October 7th to the 20th. If you want to turn over a firearm, contact Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 extension 7300 or email pixelsforpistols@ottawapolice.ca. Ottawa police will come to your home to collect the firearm.
