Hamilton Police launch 6-week gun amnesty program

Hamilton Police have launched a six-week, city-wide gun amnesty program. 

Two shootings last weekend were the latest in a series of recent violent incidents in Hamilton — what police board chair Coun. Lloyd Ferguson called an "unacceptable spike in the use of weapons in our streets this summer." In August, 18-year-old Shariek Douse was shot and killed in the North End.  

"A couple of things have happened in recent months that have caused everyone some grave concern," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger at a police headquarters press conference announcing the amnesty Wednesday morning.

Giving people a chance to turn over unwanted guns is "not the only solution to gun play and gun violence" in Hamilton, Eisenberger said, but "it's certainly one thing that we can do to get some of the guns out of our community. ... One less firearm out of the community, in my view, is a positive step."

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"We need to do everything that we can to attack the supply of guns," said Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire. "Removing unwanted guns will reduce the risk of having firearms stolen from your resident that will eventually then fall into the hands of people who will use the gun for a criminal purpose."

A police-run firearm amnesty program in 2014 brought in 374 guns and 19,000 rounds of ammunition.

'An opportunity to get the guns'

Coun. Matthew Green called for a return of the gun amnesty program and a gun buyback program in May. His colleagues on city council unanimously supported that motion. Green attended the announcement Wednesday and said he's "encouraged" by the launch of the program. 

The chief said the service will be conducting the amnesty program for six weeks and will not be pursuing the buy-back incentive that Green has called for.

"We have had two very successful amnesties without incentive and we're going to continue this program without incentive," De Caire said. "The Hamilton Police Service does not want to entertain buy-back of firearms. If that discussion needs to be had at council, or there's another alternative, we would support any alternative that gives us an opportunity to get the guns."

Green plans to ask his colleagues at council on Wednesday evening to consider that option and to "find the appropriate funds" for a buy-back, which he believes could dramatically increase the number of guns removed from the street. 

The mayor has called together a task force to address youth gun violence; its first meeting is next week.

The program collects registered or unregistered rifles, shot guns, hand guns and ammunition. Police also collect replicas or pellet guns, as these could be used by criminals to imitate actual firearms. The firearms are destroyed after they're collected, police said.

Anyone with unwanted, unregistered or unsafely stored firearms or ammunition can call the amnesty program hotline at 905-979-1602. Don't bring the items into the police station yourself.