WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Regional Police say they were surprised but pleased with the cache of weapons they collected over a month-long firearms amnesty.

"What surprised us was the quantity of prohibited handguns," said Sgt. Andy Harrington.

Although police collected mostly long rifles and shotguns, there were also about 40 handguns.

In total, police collected 317 real firearms and pellet and BB guns from Nov. 1 to 30. There were 29 weapons, ranging from knives, swords, bear spray and throwing stars, and more than 12,600 rounds of ammunition.

Many of the rifles and shotguns came from family members who inherited guns and others who wanted to dispose of guns after a family member had died.

In one case, a family found a handgun in the car of their father's glove box after his recent death, said Const. Brent Place.

"They had no idea their father had a gun there," he said.

In another instance, a family found a handgun stuffed in drywall in a false wall.

Another gun hails from battle in the First World War.

"A lot of people were relieved and thankful they could get rid of the guns," Harrington said.

The guns were recycled through melting at a steel factory.

The amnesty program has been held at other police services across the province. It's a way of residents disposing of prohibited weapons without facing repercussions. Police say none of the weapons were attached to criminal activity.

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Chief Bryan Larkin said the amnesty will be held again.

"It prevents an opportunity for these guns to become crime guns," he said. "These guns can become guns of opportunity in the wrong hands."