The gun used to kill Toronto police officer Todd Bayliss in 1994 was stolen. The World War II souvenir was taken from a locked closet.

A handgun implicated in the Boxing Day 2005 shooting of student Jane Creba was also procured by illicit means, among countless other examples, criminologists say.

That's why gun amnesty programs, such as the novel one by Toronto police that begins today, are so important.

"It's one of the many measures that can help," Ryerson professor and gun control advocate Wendy Cukier said yesterday. "When guns are removed from homes, it reduces the chance they are misused or stolen ... That can have an impact on public safety."

The amnesty program, Pixels for Pistols, is a joint endeavour with the 26-store Henry's camera chain, based on Church St. in Toronto. For four weeks, Toronto residents who hand over a gun, legal or not, will receive a digital camera, either a Nikon Coolpix S52 or a Coolpix P60, listed at $230 and $190 on the Henry's website. The offer includes photography lessons.

Henry's is asking that no one show up at a store with a gun. Toronto police advise those wanting to turn in a firearm to call (416) 808-2222 to arrange pickup.

They say gun owners across Ontario have been inquiring about the exchange program, which is available only to locals.

Among the callers was John Hope, who keeps a trigger lock on the 9-mm Beretta stowed in his Bracebridge home. He says he's eager to give up the gun so it doesn't land in the wrong hands – a criminal or suicidal teenager, say. Since he can't trade it for a camera, he now plans to throw it into the middle of a lake.

"There's no way someone's going to go down 200 feet to get a gun he doesn't know is there," he said.

Cukier said the interest shown in the program suggests support for the police effort. Surrendering of guns tucked away in homes, she said, gets them out of harm's way.

About 30 per cent of guns reaching the black market have been stolen, York University criminologist James Sheptycki said.

"And guns have a long life," he said. "They remain dangerous weapons for 50 years. At least."



