Kazakhstan police have seized more than 1,700 criminal weapons since the start of the year, including assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, grenade launchers and ammunition, infohub.kz reports.
According to data published on the Interior Ministry's website, the haul includes 34 assault rifles, 458 pistols, more than a thousand shotguns, three grenade launchers and nearly 12,000 rounds of ammunition.
Particular attention is being paid to tracking down weapons stolen during the January 2022 unrest. That effort is continuing across the country. Since the start of the year, 152 such weapons have been taken out of illegal circulation, with another 9 seized in September alone.
"In August, police officers in Almaty and Ust-Kamenogorsk seized three weapons from two residents of the Almaty region that had been stolen from gun shops in Almaty during the January events. In early September, a local resident was detained in Taraz who was keeping a Makarov pistol at home. It was established that this weapon had also been stolen in January 2022 in the Zhambyl region. The suspects have been arrested. An investigation is under way," the police statement said.
In addition, a nationwide campaign for the voluntary surrender of illegally held weapons is continuing. Since April 20, citizens have voluntarily handed in more than 900 weapons and about 6,000 rounds of ammunition.
"Individuals who voluntarily surrender illegally held weapons are exempted from criminal and administrative liability in accordance with the procedure established by law. If you know of places where weapons are illegally stored, report it to the police by calling 102 or through the eOtinish service. Anonymity is guaranteed," police added.