THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Security, yesterday afternoon announced the extension of the gun amnesty programme until October 14, 2015. The announcement came on the last day of the initial amnesty programme. With the extension of the gun amnesty, members of the public can continue to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition to identified police stations across the country.
Meanwhile, yesterday, just before the announcement of the extension was made, persons visited the Brickdam and East La Penitence Police Stations to hand over several weapons, and a quantity of ammunition.
Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken confirmed that the Brickdam Police Station received one .22 revolver, one .357 magnum revolver, one 12-gauge shotgun and 12 cartridges, while one .22 pistol and 146 matching rounds of ammunition were handed over at the East La Penitence Police Station.
Early last month, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had stated that there would be no extension of the gun amnesty programme, but later he indicated that an extension might be possible, depending on the response from members of the public to the initiative.
The gun amnesty was a first for Guyana, but it has been tried in other countries, with various levels of success.
All police divisions have been able to record some amount of success in the turning in of illegal arms and ammunition.
Members of the public are reminded that they can turn over illegal arms and ammunition at the following stations in the respective divisions.
‘A’ Division: Timehri Police Station, Ruimveldt Police Station, Providence Police Station, East La Penitence Police Station, Brickdam Police Station and Alberttown Police Station.

‘B’ Division: Berbice – Fort Wellington Police Station, Blairmont Police Station, Central Police Station, Albion Police Station, Whim Police Station, No. 51 Police Station, Springlands Police Station and Mibicuri Police Station.

‘C’ Division: Sparendaam Police Station, Beterverwagting Police Station, Vigilance Police Station, Cove and John Police Station, Mahaica Police Station and Mahaicony Police Station.

‘D’ Division: La Grange Police Station, Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, Leonora Police Station and Parika Police Station.

‘E’ Division: Linden, Kwakwani and related areas – Kwakwani Police Station, Mabura Police Station, Wismar Police Station and Mc Kenzie Police Station .

‘F’ Division: Interior locations – Bartica Police Station, Kurupung Police Station, Aranka Police Station, Enachu Police Station, Issano Police Station, Lethem Police Station, Annai Police Station, Aishalton Police Station, Karasabai Police Station, Monkey Mountain Police Station, Kato Police Station, Mabaruma Police Station, Moruka Police Station, Yarrikita Police Station, Port Kaituma Police Station, Matthews Ridge Police Station, Baramita Police Station, Kamarang Police Station, Eteringbang Police Station, Imbaimadai Police Station, Kaikan Police Station, Madhia Police Station, Paruima Police Station, Kurupukari Checkpoint and Itaballi Checkpoint.

‘G’ Division: Suddie Police Station, Anna Regina Police Station, Charity Police Station, Wakenaam Police Station, Leguan Police Station and Aurora Police Station.