Over 500 firearms surrendered in first week of Toronto's gun buyback program

Over 500 firearms have been surrendered to the Toronto Police Service after it launched a Gun Buyback Program.

According to Toronto Police, in the program’s first week, they collected 504 firearms (349 long guns and 155 handguns) for destruction.

During the next few weeks, any Toronto resident who wishes to have police pick up an operable, registered or unregistered gun from their home will be compensated with $200 for a long gun and $350 for a handgun.

Police say each gun will be inspected to determine if they have been used in a crime, adding that residents who turn over guns to police will not face a charge for possessing or unsafely storing a firearm.

Residents should not bring guns to a police station or city facility.

To participate, call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency line at 416-808-2222 between 7 am and 7 pm and an officer will visit your home to pick up the gun.

In July 2018, Toronto City Council adopted the Immediate Steps to Address Gun Violence report, which included a Council decision to establish a gun buyback program. The City of Toronto is funding this program.

The Gun Buyback Program ends on May 17, 2019.