The extended gun amnesty that ended just before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) rounded up 79 weapons and more than 3000 rounds of ammunition.

Of the 79 weapons turned in, 16 were illegal pistols that cannot be registered in Samoa and 3826 ammunition.

The figures were confirmed by Police Commissioner Aupaau Logoitino Filipo who acknowledged the assistance from the public heeding the call to turn in illegal firearms. 

Members of the public were given a $100 food voucher and assurance of no prosecution or any questions asked in return for surrendering the weapons. 

Auapaau said the number of guns turned in was not as much as the previous ones however he extended his appreciation in the response to take the guns off the street. 

“I want to thank the public for their willingness to turn in the weapons and the effort does contribute to saving someone’s life,” he said.  

“The whole reason why we do this is for the safety of our people from the illegal firearms.” 

As usual, the Ministry of Police and Prisons will carry out the destruction operation next month to wrap up the initiative. 

The Commissioner is certain that the weapons are slipping through the borders noting that these cannot be manufactured locally and are often concealed. 

Gun amnesties over the past seven years resulted in 596 firearms and 7250 pieces of ammunition being surrendered.