The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today destroyed the firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition surrendered during the Firearms Amnesty held from 22 May to 9 June 2017.
A total of 18 firearms and more than 2800 round of ammunitions were surrendered at the end of the amnesty period.
The firearms consisted of:
• Two SR88 rifles
• One pump action shot gun
• Several .22 calibre bolt action rifles
• Several home-made or modified weapons
• Two handguns, including one pistol and one WWII revolver, and
• Two machine gun frames and barrels from WWII.
The firearms were destroyed during a ceremony held at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara in the morning witnessed by invited guests including the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Moses Garu; senior government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corp, members of the Solomon Islands Post-Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association (SIPCRRA) and representatives of the media.
The destroyed guns and ammunitions were later burnt and exploded during another ceremony in the afternoon at the Explosive Ordnance Device Unit Hells Point facility at the Alligator Creek East of Honiara witnessed by invited guests and representatives of the local media.
“The destruction of the firearms and ammunitions today marks the end of the Firearms Amnesty and Voluntary Surrender of Firearms Program. For this I wish to thank the Joint Disarmament Reintegration Task Force Group, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and SIPCRRA,” says Commissioner of Police, Matthew Varley.
Mr Varley explains: “The delay in the destruction of the firearms and ammunitions surrendered during the amnesty has been because the RSIPF has been heavily involved in major operations soon after the end of the amnesty and was not able to find a suitable time for the destruction of the items.”
“Once again, I would like thank those who turned in the guns at that time. Each gun and bullet handed in has made Solomon Islands a safer place. This was the Government’s final amnesty and I want to repeat what I said at that time and it is that there will be no leniency for persons found with illegal firearms as from the end of that amnesty. Anyone found now with firearms will be arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms.”
“The decision by the Government to allow for the final Firearms Amnesty was to ensure that our communities are free of any firearms on the eve of the departure of RAMSI at the end of June,” says Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Moses Garu.
Hon. Garu: “We want to protect Solomon Islanders. We want to build confidence in the nation’s security.”
Minister Garu thanked the RSIPF, RAMSI and SIPCRRA for successfully carrying out the Government’s decision including the destruction of the firearms and ammunitions surrendered during the amnesty.