First gun turned in on Day 1 of amnesty in Hobbema

The first firearm was turned in to the RCMP in Hobbema Friday on the first day of a four-month gun amnesty for the four reserves south of Edmonton.

The amnesty was announced last week as part of an effort to get guns out of the Samson Cree First Nation community that has been racked by gun and gang violence. The amnesty runs until Nov. 30.

"Weve had one long-barrelled firearm turned in to our detachment as a result of the amnesty legislation," Cpl. Dan Larsen, with the Hobbema RCMP, said Friday.

"We appreciate all community initiatives, and we hope that this gets the ball rolling and encourages other community members to turn in any firearms under the same circumstances."

Hobbema residents can hand over their illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition to the Mounties without facing charges for possessing unregistered and unlicenced weapons.

But the RCMP will investigate if they believe the weapons were stolen or used in crimes.

Larsen said people must call the police to come and collect guns they want to hand over. He said police don't want people bringing in guns to the RCMP detachment for safety reasons.

The amnesty was announced in response to the shooting three months ago of two-year-old Asia Saddleback. A bullet fired through her grandfathers home on the Samson Cree First Nation struck her as she was eating Sunday dinner on April 13.

Police want to get as many weapons as possible off the streets where 13 gangs have been feuding for control of the drug trade.

A 16-year-old boy was killed on the reserve last Sunday in a gang-related shooting.