Throw away your guns and explosives on sheriff's amnesty day

On Saturday, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office will collect and destroy weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks -- with no questions asked -- during an amnesty day.

The goal is to get the dangerous items out of circulation to prevent injuries and crime.

Those who get rid of weapons or other items Saturday won't face charges for possessing them, officials said.

Serial numbers will be run through a national crime database and, if they are determined to be stolen, they'll be returned to their rightful owner. The rest will be destroyed by the State Law Enforcement Division, which is assisting in the collection.

A U.S Marine Corps bomb squad will help dispose of all military ordnance.

"The bottom line is, the less weapons we have on the street, the less gun violence and gun crimes we'll have," said sheriff's Capt. Scott Johnson.

A similar event held two years ago resulted in 17 guns, dynamite, blasting caps, ammunition and even a cannonball being turned in and destroyed. The event is especially useful for those who have lost loved ones who owned weapons or brought back souvenirs from war, Johnson said.

Explosives and fireworks can become even more dangerous as they age, said SLED Agent Al Jarvis. Some items, like fireworks, actually get more sensitive if they get wet or exposed to the elements, he said.

During amnesty day, only guns and ammunition will be accepted at two drop-off locations in Okatie and Beaufort. Officers will come to the homes of people who want to get rid of fireworks or explosives.

Those unfamiliar with handling guns also can call to have a deputy pick up the weapons.

"We don't want to keep anyone from bringing (a gun) in just because they don't know how to break it down or check to see if it's loaded," Johnson said.