JOHANNESBURG, June 12 (Xinhuanet) -- South Africa collected a total of 80,147 firearms during the firearms amnesty period in thecountry, according to a local report on Sunday.

    Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula announced that theamnesty period, which expires on June 30, is not likely to be extended. The amnesty is aimed at reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation in the country and had been extended from April 1.

    Nqakula was briefing the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security on gun control in the country.

    The minister was quoted by Sunday Times as saying "any firearm that is taken out of circulation saves lives and it stops the commission of crime using firearms."

    He told the committee that the firearms amnesty has also so farnetted 106 hand grenades, 23 rifle grenades and 24 mortars.

    The amnesty was originally declared for a three-month period from January 1 until March 31. But the period was extended for another three-month period until June 30 when it became clear thatthe handing in of firearms significantly increased during the lastweek of March.

    The amnesty is to prevent the proliferation of mostly illegallypossessed firearms. Illegal and unwanted firearms and ammunition may be handed in at any police station. Enditem