Aug. 1, 2001 – Although the 16 weapons collected on St. Thomas in the Police Department's Firearm Amnesty Program, which ended at midnight Tuesday, was not exactly overwhelming, Deputy Police Chief Theodore Carty was heartened.
"That's 16 weapons that aren't on the street where they can be used to kill people," Carty said. "It might be a small number, but it's successful. We do appreciate people turning them in."
Carty said the weapons collected in the program, which began July 10, were mostly revolvers or pistols but included one rifle.
Figures from the St. Croix district were not available Wednesday afternoon, although Police Commissioner Franz Christian said in a release that he was "pleased with public compliance, especially on the island of St. Croix."
The number of weapons collected on St. Croix was substantially higher than those collected in the St. Thomas-St. John district, according to one source.
Earlier this week, Sen. Emmett Hansen II urged everyone with unlicensed firearms to turn them in. "We're not fooling around when it comes to persons having unlicensed firearms," he said. "If you feel you have to have a firearm to protect yourself and your family, get it licensed."
Hansen was the prime sponsor of the Gun Control Act of 2001, which dramatically increases penalties and fines for possession and use of unlicensed firearms. The law also provides for the forfeiture of property should unlicensed firearms be found, Hansen reminded gun owners.
