SURREY (NEWS 1130) – More than 100 weapons have been turned in to police as part of a secret amnesty program by the RCMP. The program has been operating quietly for weeks.

There have been more than 30 reports of shots fired in Surrey so far this year. In a move to tackle this situation Mounties have been offering amnesty to various people allowing them to turn over their illegal weapons without any criminal penalty.

“We’re actually recruiting those that we know we should be reaching out to in a behind the scenes way,” says Mayor Linda Hepner.

“We are working with some of our partners in law enforcement to try to get guns off the street that somebody may have in their possession, not necessarily for a criminal purpose, but we know through our experience that a significant number of guns used in crimes in the country are domestically sourced. By that I mean they are stolen out of someone’s house or out of a residence that perhaps is not secure,” says Surrey RCMP Chief Bill Fordy.

Fordy has a message for any parents who’s kids might have a weapon.

“One death is too many. Anything that a parent can do to save the lives of a young man, a young woman, or worst case scenario an innocent person, (is good). Do what I would say is the right thing and reach out to us.”

Last week Surrey RCMP announced the arrest of five people believed to be behind these shootings.