The Metropolitan Police have been appealing for people across England and Wales to give in any unwanted guns, weaponry and ammunition during a two-week campaign, due to end on Sunday.
The initiative was set up to tackle rising gun crime and target illegal holiday souvenir stun guns and pepper sprays bought on the internet.
Reverend Christopher Parkes from Burntwood Methodist Church in Birmingham was inspired to participate in the initiative to ensure the guns "didn't get into the hands of criminals."
The starting pistols had been stored in the church safe for at least 12 years and only used by the drama group.
In a video shared by the West Midlands Police, Mr Parkes said: "I heard that there was a surrender taking place in Birmingham for guns and replica guns. So we've taken the opportunity to bring these along so they don't get into the hands of criminals or other people where they can be used for the wrong purposes. Taking them off the streets and out of circulation, we thought, was the best thing."
#GUNSURRENDER | Reverend Christopher Parkes from Burntwood Methodist Church has just surrendered four starting pistols which had been in the Church's safe for years. That's another 4 life like guns out of circulation so unable to get into the hands of the wrong people. @NABIS_UK pic.twitter.com/i1y21tHC25
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) August 1, 2019
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