Almost 350 guns and knives and other weapons have been handed in under the amnesty which ends today, according to the latest available figures.
A total of 346 weapons were surrendered up to October 23rd, according to a spokeswoman for the Minister for Justice.
Among the weapons handed in were 73 shotguns, 42 rifles, 44 pistols, revolvers and handguns, and 49 knives.
Others include a musket, a theatre pistol used on stage, a stun gun, 12 crossbows, six swords, 11 starting pistols and one humane killer, a gun used to kill animals in abattoirs. Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe claimed yesterday that "despite Michael McDowell's efforts, the amnesty hasn't really achieved anything".
But a spokeswoman said that "the amnesty was never intended as a solution to crime but an opportunity for people to hand in illegally held weapons before mandatory firearms offences come into effect". These provide for terms of imprisonment of five to 10 years and include possession of a firearm with criminal intent, or with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, or while hijacking a vehicle.
