A COUNTYWIDE gun amnesty, which could potentially save lives, is being launched by Gloucestershire Police.

Air rifles, antique pistols and shotguns - just a selection of weapons handed in during previous gun surrenders.

Gloucestershire Police are hoping for a similar return this time when Operation Magpie starts this Friday, November 14.

We are joining a number of other police forces in inviting local people to safely dispose of unwanted firearms by taking them to their nearest police station, like; Stroud, Gloucester or Cheltenham.

The aim - to get as many unwanted guns as possible off the streets of Gloucestershire so there is less chance of them falling in to the hands of criminals.

Amnesty v Surrender The operation is to provide an amnesty for the possession of the firearm(s) at the point the person hands it/them over.

However if it's discovered that the firearm was used illegally before it was given in then police will pursue a prosecution.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: "This applies to anyone who may have a gun they no longer need or have found, say during a loft clearance or house move.

"Licenced gun holders can also use this opportunity to get rid of any weapons they no longer want or use.

"This gun surrender could potentially save lives by getting as many unwanted and illegal guns off our streets, resulting in fewer weapons which could potentially fall in to the hands of the wrong people."