Toronto offers cameras for guns

TORONTO, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Toronto police are hoping gun owners can be persuaded to exchange gunshots for photographic shots in an upcoming gun amnesty exchange.

Beginning Oct. 22 in partnership with the 26-store chain of Henry's Cameras, those who turn in weapons to the police will receive a digital Nikon camera and lessons on using it, the Globe and Mail reported Thursday.

Henry's marketing director Max Payne said the type of camera depends on the gun, with a handgun or assault rifle being traded for a Nikon Coolpix S52 worth about $400 and lesser cameras for shotguns and rifles.

The program is called "Pixels for Pistols" and police said, as in previous amnesty programs, owners shouldn't transport the weapons to police stations but rather call for an officer to pick them up.

The last city amnesty in November 2005, which offered tickets to Toronto Raptors NBA games, netted 261 guns and 1,500 rounds of ammunition, the Globe said.

Sgt. Chris Boddy said he was cautiously optimistic about the coming amnesty.

"Most gun amnesties turn in very few crime guns," he said. "The point is, every unwanted firearm that we can get off the street makes things a little bit safer."