firearms and other illegal weapons surrendered to Police.

Spokesman Sgt. Roseanda Jones disclosed yesterday that since last Thursday members of the public had handed in: a .22 calibre pistol plus 96 rounds of ammunition, a switchblade, two imitation pistols, one Winchester rifle, and a flare gun.

A total of nine weapons have been collected since the amnesty was implemented on November 4.

Some marine flares, an air gun and a rusty pistol were the only weapons the amnesty had yielded until this weekend, causing growing scepticism that anyone would voluntarily hand in their weapon.

But Sgt. Jones said: "Contrary to a lot of the feedback from the public, people are taking advantage of the amnesty to hand in their illegal firearms.'' One reason, she noted, could be Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan's announcement that Government will consider increasing penalties for firearms offences.

Sgt. Jones refused to reveal any details about the identity of those handing in guns since Police, as an incentive, had promised anonymity.

Acting Police Commissioner Alex Forbes last week made a personal appeal for Bermudians to turn in their guns and illegal weapons.

Included in the amnesty are flare pistols, imitation firearms, flares, and prohibited weapons such as flick knives.

"We will accept any firearm or other prohibited weapon anywhere at any time of the day or night,'' she said. "Anyone with a weapon who does not want to visit a Police station may call us, tell us where it is and we will collect it from wherever it has been secreted.'' Sgt. Jones said: "Our main objective is to protect lives and with fewer firearms on the street this can be achieved. But we all have to work together on this one, to bring tranquility back to the Island.'' The amnesty was launched amid concern over a wave of crimes involving firearms and replica guns.