A loaded semi-automatic handgun has been handed in to Police this week, as the weapons amnesty pulled its first working firearm off the street.

A member of the public surrendered the .22 calibre weapon, contained in a brown paper bag, at Hamilton Police Station on Monday ? it was loaded with a magazine of six live bullets and another 51 live rounds, 46 of which were for the weapon.

It is understood that the person, who did not leave any details, told the Police that 'they had read about the amnesty in the paper and thought they should hand in the weapon'.

And Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith expressed his pleasure at the amnesty's yield of a working firearm.

"That is one less firearm that can be used in the commission of a criminal act," he told

"We hope more will follow suit."

More than 20 items have now been surrendered to Police in the past ten days of the amnesty, which runs until December 13.

A flare, a knife, a Police-style baton, a toy pistol, two flare guns, a bow and arrow, a cap gun, a pellet rifle and a paintball gun have now been also removed from Bermuda's streets in the past week.

A replica gun has also been handed in.

The amnesty, the Island's first since 1994, was introduced immediately following violence at a White Hill Field concert where a firearm was brandished during massive public disturbances.

Machetes and baseball bats were also wielded by thugs as Town versus Country gang violence reared its ugly head.understands that plans to bring in the amnesty had been under discussion for some time, with the final decision actually made by Government the day before the Elephant Man concert, where the trouble occurred.

A dozen people have now been arrested in relation to this incident, with a number already appearing before the courts.