in the wake of a double shooting over the weekend.

The amnesty -- Bermuda's third since the mid-1980s -- would allow people who are currently in possession of firearms, ammunition or other prohibited weapons to turn them in to the nearest Police station without being prosecuted.

They would be able to do so for as long as the amnesty is in effect.

Yesterday, the Premier said that acting Attorney General Mr. Barrie Meade had agreed to implement the amnesty and would be working on the "necessary arrangements'' over the next few days.

He said that "further announcements will be made to inform the public where and how these items can be turned'' over.

Sir John's decision comes on the heels of growing concern over the increased use of guns in Bermuda and a wave of recent incidents in which illegal firearms figured prominently.

On October 14, an armed man entered the Southampton Princess branch of the Bank of Butterfield and fired a shot into the ceiling. No one was injured in the robbery, but the gunman fled with nearly $25,000 in cash.

Two men, Anthony Francis of Devonshire and Che Tumang Pennyman of Pembroke, have been charged in connection with the crime.

Less than a week later, Assistant Police Commissioner Mr. Wayne Perinchief announced that guns stolen in the United States were being smuggled to the Island on cargo ships from New York and New Jersey.

He said at the time that the Government was considering a general firearms amnesty.

But the incident that weighed most heavily on yesterday's announcement was the Sunday morning shootings at the Spinning Wheel nightclub in which two teenagers were hospitalised with serious gunshot wounds.

Two Government Ministers expressed shock on Sunday after learning about the shootings.

"The Government deplores this senseless, violent incident,'' Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman and Human Affairs Minister the Hon.

Jerome Dill said in a joint statement.

"Firearms...have no place in the Bermuda community, and the Bermuda community is determined that they should not become a part of our lives.'' Sir John, meanwhile, noted that "Government was taking a number of steps to deal with a rising tide of violence'' in Bermuda, including a "legislative initiative aimed at strengthening the penalties for the use and possession'' of illegal firearms.

The Premier also said that "Government is determined to stamp out the use of guns in the community and that persons found with illegal firearms, ammunition or prohibited weapons after the amnesty ends will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law''.

There have been two other gun amnesties in Bermuda in the past nine years -- one in 1985 and the other in 1988.

Yesterday, acting Police Commissioner Mr. Alex Forbes told a news conference that Police supported an amnesty.

He said he met with Mr. Meade two weeks ago to request that the AG's Office consider one.