Ministers have launched the first national firearms amnesty since the Dunblane tragedy.

In a bid to cut the number of illegal guns on Britain's streets, the government and police forces are urging that any unwanted or illegal weapons are handed in for destruction.

Under the terms of the amnesty, which runs from today until the end of April, anyone handing in a gun can do so without risk of prosecution for its possession.

Forum Response: National Black Police Association

A spokeperson for the NBPA told ePolitix.com: "The NBPA supports the government's position on Gun Amnesty. The priority must be to get as many guns off the streets as possible as such we would support a National Guns Amnesty.

"This would allow people to voluntarily hand in weapons without fear of prosecution in cases of unlawful possession.

"This needs to be followed up with as reward scheme for people who disclose details of people who may possess firearms unlawfully.

"Deactivated weapons should be weapons that can never be used. We would suggest that any type of weapon that is reactivated should be placed onlist of banned weapons.

"The NBPA supports the government's position on a 5-year minimum sentence. We would like to see a more consistent approach in sentencing all personsunlawfully in possession of firearms or involved in their criminal use.

"The new Criminal Justice Unit will need to monitor carefully any differential sentencing based on ethnicity in excess of five years. We would like to suggest that the minimum terms be five years without remission."

Forum Response: Usdaw

John Hannett, deputy general secretary for usdaw, told ePolitix.com: "Usdaw very much welcomes any initiative that removes guns from our streets. We believe that an amnesty period is right, ahead of the introduction of much stiffer penalties for the possession of an illegal firearm.

"Usdaw's members working in retail will also welcome this move. Last year robberies in retail outlets doubled and often criminals will choose to brandish a firearm to threaten staff.

"I cannot begin to imagine the effect of being threatened by someone using a gun. However, I know that shopworkers who have had that terrible experience find it very difficult to feel safe at work again.

"Usdaw's Freedom from Fear campaign aims to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse by working with the government, police, localauthorities and employers to make shopping areas safer.

"We welcome the government's continued efforts in reducing crime."

Bob Ainsworth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Anti-Drugs Co-ordination and Organised Crime, said: "Every weapon handed in is a weapon that cannot be used in crime. Anyone with an illegally-held gun, or any other weapon that might be used to cause fear and distress on our streets should take this chance to get rid of it. If you don't, the police will come down hard with new powers due to come into force later this year.

"We still have one of the lowest levels of gun crime in the Western world, but I am not prepared to tolerate the increase we have recently witnessed. A culture is emerging among a very small group of predominantly young men who think carrying a gun will enhance their status. It is a gross misconception, and one that cannot go unchallenged.

"Ordinary, law abiding citizens do not want to see their communities blighted by violence. But there are some encouraging signs. Specialist police operations like Trident here in London have had great success and the number of firearms offences is down. It's early days, but with the will of the communities, targeted policing and robust legislative support from Government we can get guns off the streets."