Two week-long firearms amnesty launched across Greater Manchester to take deadly weapons off the streets and save lives

A two week-long firearms amnesty launched today across Greater Manchester, designed to take lethal weapons off the streets and ultimately save lives. The National Firearm Surrender campaign, co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, runs until May 29 within every police force in the UK, including Greater Manchester Police.

Officers are urging the public to hand over firearms during the period of the fortnight-long surrender. The surrender isn't just aimed at criminals. It's also aimed at collectors, licence holders or anyone who has inherited a firearm.

Greater Manchester Police said many firearms are held in 'innocence and ignorance of their illegality' - or may be have been forgotten inside people's homes. But the force said firearms can be converted into potentially deadly weapons.

In a statement launching the campaign GMP said: "Firearms legislation is regularly updated and officers from GMP are urging people to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to help avoid them getting into the wrong hands.

"This surrender is not just targeting those involved in criminal behaviour, it's also aimed at collectors, licence holders and anyone who has inherited a firearm. Many firearms may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or may be forgotten in people's homes.

"Legislation around firearms is regularly updated and changed and members of the public are advised of the risk of having firearms which could end up being illegal. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that they meet the relevant ownership requirements.

"Handing in unwanted, unlicensed and illegal weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of communities can