Torontonians surrender over 2,700 guns through Gun Buyback Program

Torontonians surrender over 2,700 guns through Gun Buyback Program

Saturday, May 18, 2019 - 7:00 AM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

The Toronto Police Service received more than 2,700 unwanted guns from Toronto residents from April 26 to May 17, 2019.

Over the three-week Gun Buyback Program, police collected over 1,900 long guns and over 800 handguns for destruction. It is the largest number of firearms collected through a gun buyback program in Toronto.

Chief Mark Saunders and Mayor John Tory noted the three-week program is one of the many measures that can contribute to community safety in Toronto.

"We are pleased with the participation of Torontonians taking steps to safely dispose of unwanted guns in their homes. These guns can present a potential danger if they fall into the wrong hands," said Chief Mark Saunders said. "Removing access to these guns, many of which are not securely stored, contributes to community safety.”

"Gun violence remains a serious concern for both the community and law enforcement. We know ending gun violence will take a variety of measures – there is no one magic answer," said Mayor John Tory. "Every gun surrendered is one less gun in our community and one less gun potentially available to people who want to cause problems in our city."

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 funded the program with unanimous approval from City Council.

Under the Gun Buyback Program, Toronto residents were able to request police pick up a registered or unregistered gun from their home for destruction for compensation amounting to $200 for long guns and $350 for handguns. Residents who turned over guns to police for destruction would not face charges for possessing or unsafely storing a firearm.

Kevin Masterman, Corporate Communications