Lisbon, Sept. 2, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) has collected, via owners voluntarily surrendering, 265 firearms and nearly 6,000 rounds of ammunition and cartridges in just two months this year – more than in operations carried out over the past two years, the police said on Wednesday.

The collection of firearms and ammunition took place as part of the national operation «Armas em Segurança [weapons in safety] – Summer Tour 2026», between 29 June and 31 August, and involved 124 police officers.

In a statement, the PSP explained that, over the course of two months, 140 community policing, assistance and licensing operations were carried out, and 22 awareness-raising initiatives were also conducted using mobile service units.

This was the third year of the operation and «its main objective was to bring the PSP's firearms and explosives services closer to the public, promoting awareness of and compliance with legal regulations regarding the possession, use and transfer of firearms and ammunition», according to the statement sent to newsrooms today.

Looking at the figures from previous years, in 2024, 94 operations were carried out by 103 police officers, resulting in the voluntary surrender of 173 firearms and 1,523 rounds of ammunition and cartridges. Last year, meanwhile, the 128 operations involved 343 officers and resulted in the handover of 187 firearms and 2,730 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.

The PSP also explained that, should anyone possess a firearm and not wish to renew their licence to use and carry it, the firearm must be deposited with the PSP or a Type 2 gunsmith.

The owner has 180 days to apply to have the firearm covered by another licence they hold, to transfer the firearm to someone who is legally authorised to possess it, to hand the firearm over to the State, or to apply for authorisation to deactivate the firearm.

RCV/AYLS // AYLS

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