Amnesty on Illegal Weapons Begins Tuesday 18th Until December 17th

Bermuda launches island wide weapons amnesty as new prohibited weapons are added to the list contained in the Criminal Code (Prohibited Weapons) Order 1980

The public will be urged to surrender listed items at designated “surrender bins” with no questions asked during the amnesty period.

Overview

His Excellency the Governor, the Ministry of National Security and the Bermuda Police Service today announced a joint island wide weapons amnesty coinciding with forthcoming amendments to the Criminal Code that will add a number of specific items to the list of Prohibited Weapons. The amnesty gives members of the public an opportunity to lawfully surrender these items at designated surrender bins located across the island.

What this means

During the amnesty period, individuals in possession of any of the listed items may surrender them at designated surrender bins without fear of prosecution for possession of those items. The amnesty is intended to reduce the number of dangerous items in circulation and to increase community safety while the legal changes are implemented.

List of items accepted under the amnesty

The following items are due to be added to the list of Prohibited Weapons under the Criminal Code. The amnesty will also accept any dangerous or offensive items that currently fall under the Act, or which a member of the public wishes to surrender.

• An extendable friction lock baton
• The weapon sometimes known as a kubotan
• A knife with a plain cutting edge, a serrated spine, and a blade at least 8 inches in length
• The weapon sometimes known as a cyclone knife or spiral knife
• The weapon sometimes known as a push dagger
• A knife with holes in the blade or handle large enough for fingers to support its use
• The weapon sometimes known as a balisong or butterfly knife
• A disguised knife designed to look like an everyday object
• A knuckleduster
• The weapon sometimes known as a zombie knife or zombie machete

Items that are already prohibited and may also be surrendered include:

• A finger ring knife with blades or sharp objects
• A flick knife or gravity knife
• A fixed blade or folding knife with a cutting edge over 3 inches
• The weapon known as a manrikigusari or kusari
• A spiked wristband
• A crossbow or catapult
• The weapon known as a shuriken or throwing star
• The weapon known as a constant companion or belt buckle knife
• A swordstick or sword cane with a concealed blade
• A knuckleduster
• The weapon known as a yaqua blowgun
• The weapon known as a cobra baton with a spring loaded steel shaft

How and where to surrender

• Surrender bins will be placed at clearly marked loca