Britons Give Up Handguns As New Law Takes Effect

LONDON (November 3, 1997 1:10 p.m. EST http://www.nando.net) - Britons have surrendered to police more than 142,000 handguns, including 116,000 larger caliber weapons, since they were outlawed following the Dunblane massacre, the government announced Friday.

The legal crackdown was prompted by gunman Thomas Hamilton's school gym murder of 16 small children and their teacher in the Scottish town in March 1996.

In addition, 26,000 smaller .22 calibre guns have been handed in ahead of legislation currently going through parliament to ban them.

Fire arms enthusiasts were given until Oct. 1 to give up their weapons or face the prospect of up to 10 years in jail under new laws said to be among the world's toughest anti-gun legislation.

The final total is fewer than originally expected.

Government officials believe police overestimated the numbers when they made their initial reports after the Dunblane killings. At that time they said there were 160,000 large caliber weapons in the country.

But thousands of gun owners are known to have exported their weapons rather than surrender them so that they can carry on their sport abroad.

Police were confident most outlawed weapons had been surrendered, but Home Officer Minister Alun Michael acknowledged there could still be some being held illegally.

Police will now carry out routine checks against all firearms licence holders who have not handed over weapons.

"Britain now has some of the toughest gun laws in the world," Michael said.