Firearms Amnesty – July-August 2003

Soon after the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza and Police Commissioner Bill Morrell signed a legal notice that enabled a 21-day firearms amnesty for the handing in of illegal firearms throughout Solomon Islands.

The community’s response was strong. Over 3,000 firearms and 300,000 rounds of ammunition were surrendered to RAMSI personnel, the Solomon Islands Police Force and the National Peace Council, during the three-week amnesty. A total of more than 3,600 firearms have now been surrendered or confiscated since RAMSI’s arrival in 2003.