Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Katz asks retailers to step up

Successful gun cull positive example to follow

By: Aldo Santin

Posted: 12/12/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Patrol Sgt. Kevin Wiens sets out a few of the 1,700 firearms handed over to police. (MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

City officials hope the successful partnership with photo retailer Henry's on a gun amnesty program will set an example for other businesses.

More than 1,700 firearms and 30,000 rounds of ammunition were turned in to police during the 30-day Pixels for Pistols amnesty campaign, exceeding expectations and smashing the numbers set during a 2010 amnesty.

"This has truly turned into something amazing," Mayor Sam Katz said during a news conference Tuesday.

Katz and police Chief Devon Clunis expressed their appreciation to Henry's and its president, Ian Landy, who sponsored the campaign, and hoped other businesses will take on a project to improve life in Winnipeg.

"The goal would be that maybe others in the retail industry may come out with other ideas such as this that can go towards safety or for programs with at-risk youth because this has certainly been a phenomenal success," Katz said.

Landy brought the campaign to Winnipeg on Nov. 1, promising every resident who turned in a firearm would receive a gift voucher from Henry's for a digital camera valued at $240. Vouchers were also given out for photography lessons in exchange for other weapons and ammunition.

Clunis described the partnership with Henry's as "a corporately driven community initiative," which he hopes will lead to similar ventures.

"I hope this will be an example to other corporate members and citizens within our community of what can be accomplished," Clunis said. "I thank Mr. Landy but I want to say to the community at large, look at this wonderful example and if you all just follow this, even to a small percentage, just imagine what can be accomplished in the City of Winnipeg."

Police were overwhelmed with the public's response from the start of the campaign.

Henry's had conducted similar amnesty exchanges in Toronto and Halifax and Landy said he knew Winnipeggers would embrace it as well.

"I was not prepared, with my staff and my resources, to handle this," Patrol Sgt. Kevin Wiens, who processed the collected firearms this time out and back in 2010, said. "This one kind of blows my mind."

A similar month-long gun amnesty in 2010 saw only 192 firearms turned in to police. The campaign was open only to Winnipeggers.

Police said no one who turned in a firearm would be charged.

Landy said he wasn't surprised by the results of the amnesty program but added the final number exceeds even his own estimates.

Landy said the retail cost of the campaign was about $700,000, an expense shared between Henry's and Panasonic, makers of the cameras given away in exchange.

The city and Winnipeg Police Service incurred no costs. Henry's and Panasonic bore the cost of the giveaways and advertising. Police officers assigned to collect firearms worked regular hours but were reassigned from normal duties.

Staff Sgt. John Boguski, who supervised the collection, said most Winnipeggers were grateful for the opportunity to turn in the firearms.

"The people we dealt with were very appreciative," Boguski said. "We didn't have any negative comments."

Wiens said an Italian shotgun that looked like a handgun was the most unusual firearm submitted. The oldest weapon was a rifle dating back to 1860.

Second World War-era Enfield rifles were typical of the firearms turned in.

Wiens said some of the firearms will be tested to determine if they might have been used during a crime.

All of the weapons will be destroyed.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 12, 2012 B1

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.