The Pixels for Pistols has resulted in almost 1,900 firearms being turned in, says the Toronto Police Service.
"The people of Toronto really responded well," Police Chief Bill Blair told CTV Toronto on Tuesday.
"We recognize that the bad guys won't turn in their guns, but we know that if we can get guns out of the community, that's going to make it safer for everybody. Every time we take a gun out of a house, that's a safer house."
Keeping those guns from reaching the streets through theft make for a safer community, he said.
The police have estimated that about 30 per cent of firearms used in crimes originated with legitimate gun owners. Most are smuggled in from the United States.
The amnesty program, operated in conjunction with Henry's Camera, operated from Oct. 22 to Dec. 1. The final tally of surrendered firearms is 1,897.
Some other statistics:
- 304 non-firearms, including pellet guns and replicas
- 58,217 rounds of ammunition
- 1,486 boxes of assorted ammunition
Blair said the program resulted in almost 500 handguns being turned in. "Five hundred fewer handguns in the city of Toronto means the city of Toronto is a safer place," he said.
Those turning in a firearm got a digital camera and photography lessons from Henry's. The value of the camera was slightly higher for those turning in handguns or assault-style rifles.
The seized firearms and ammunition are to be destroyed.
Toronto has tried gun amnesties before. In 2000, one collected more than 1,500 weapons. In 2005, another 261 were taken off the streets.
Blair said he thought this amnesty was particularly successful because it offered those turning in weapons something of value in return.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin
