Sixteen firearms were handed in to Cheshire Police from Cheshire West and Chester during an amnesty which saw almost 50 illegal weapons given up across the county.
Seven were from Chester, two from Ellesmere Port, four from Northwich, two from Frodsham and one from Winsford.
The amnesty began on Thursday, November 20, and by 5pm on Friday, December 5 a total of 46 weapons had been surrendered.
It was part of a national initiative which provided people with the opportunity to hand in their unwanted or illegally held weapons without fear of prosecution.
Superintendent Bev Raistrick said: “Gun crime in Cheshire is rare, and this amnesty was just one of a number of measures that we are taking to help to keep it low and further reduce crime.
“There are many reasons why people may possess an illegal weapon, and this amnesty was simply another way of ensuring some of these weapons were removed from our streets before they were used for criminal activities.
“As a result there are now 46 fewer illegal weapons on the streets of Cheshire, which means that there are now 46 less opportunities for them to get into the wrong hands and be used for criminal activities.
Weapons handed in during the amnesty period ranged from air rifles to air pistols, anyone who still holds an unwanted or illegally held firearms is encouraged to hand it in, and it will be dealt with.
Further details surrounding the law on guns can be found on the Cheshire Police website and anyone who is concerned about illegal weapons in their local community is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101. Alternatively information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A breakdown of where the weapons were surrendered:
Western area
7 x Chester
4 x Northwich
2 x Ellesmere Port
2 x Frodsham
1 x Winsford
Eastern Area
2 x Crewe
1 x Knutsford
1 x Wilmslow
12 x Congleton
Northern Area
6 x Widnes
5 x Warrington
3 x Runcorn
