French hand in unlicensed guns during government campaign

PARIS

French gun owners handed over their unlicensed weapons during a campaign launched by the government.

Gun owners voluntarily gave up more than 150,000 unlicensed weapons and 4 million bullets and other projectiles during the campaign between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, according to Interior Ministry figures.

Rifles, handguns and weapons dating to World War II were handed in at 300 collection points.

Those who handed in weapons faced no penalties.

The campaign had been extended to Dec. 6 in Paris and three neighboring provinces.

Five million people legally own guns while 2 million have unlicensed weapons in France, according to estimations.

Many French citizens Anadolu Agency spoke to seem satisfied with the campaign.

Art history student, Sandra, said she is against gun ownership and supports the campaign she believes is crucial to revealing the true number of guns in the country -- how many people own them and why.

Authorities should register the number of owned guns, she said.

Rebecca, who lives in Paris, said she is in favor of only security forces carrying guns under specific rules.

Rayan, in Toulouse in southern France, pointed to a "gun culture" among hunters in rural areas. He said he supports gun ownership under certain rules. The number of surrendered weapons during the campaign is "very high,” he said.

Computer engineer, Nadir, is afraid of limitless gun ownership, which is the reason he supports the campaign.

The young man, 26, insists on the need for particular procedures for gun owners, such as checking up on their mental health to prevent mass shootings seen in the US.

* Writing by Nur Asena Erturk​​​​​​​