The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has received 1,700 pieces of unlicensed weapons and five tons of ammunition over past three months, a ministry official said.

Major-General Farraj Al-Zubi, Director General of the General Directorate of Arms Intelligence, said arms collecting squad received 1,700 machineguns, pistols and hunting rifles in addition to five tons of live ammunition.

Al-Zubi was speaking to KUNA last night on sidelines of a seminar organized by Kuwait Economic Society in support of the arms collection campaign, saying the objective of this campaign was to protect citizens and expatriates.

He said the campaign, to expire on June 22, has set up 38 centers to receive unlicensed arms nationwide. People can also call (1-888-830) to facilitate the hand over of weapons.

Al-Zubi said people who handed over their unlicensed arms before expiry of campaign would not face any legal charges.
The National Assembly had approved the arms collection bill on January 27, which would impose a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine not exceeding KD 10,000 on any person possessing unlicensed arms beyond June 22.