National firearms surrender - hand over illegal firearms without prosecution

We are supporting a national appeal for the public to hand over any unwanted or unlawfully held guns with a surrender of firearms and ammunition, starting today (Thursday 12th May).

During the campaign – which is being coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) – those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession at the point of surrender.

Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed, and illegal firearms and ammunition to police avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms safely.

The surrender will run until 29th May 2022.

At Lincolnshire Police, we are supporting this initiative by arranging collection of firearms and ammunition from those who wish surrender them. To surrender a firearm please call 101 and say you wish to surrender a firearm, and we will make arrangements to collect it. Please do not bring any firearms to a Lincolnshire police station – we will collect them from you.

The campaign has a particular focus on a change of legislation last year around antique firearms, where some firearms that used to be legal to possess are now illegal to possess. If you are in doubt check the government website or view this document.

Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years imprisonment, and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply, it can lead to a life sentence.

NABIS and police forces across the UK are also working with the following partners: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and MoDP/Services Police. The Home Office has also lent its support to the campaign, which ties in with the important work going taking place to tackle offences such as knife and gun crime.